Objectives: We evaluated patients admitted with the diagnosisof acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Study design: This retrospective study included 72 consecutive CABG patients (10 women, 62 men; mean age 63±9 years; range 45 to 83 years). Acute coronary syndrome was defined as the presence of unstable angina or myocardial infarction (MI) with or without ST elevation. Time from CABG surgery to admission with ACS was defined as bypass age. Following discharge, information was derived by phone calls from the patients or relatives on cardiovascular events within a five-year period.
Results: On admission, 14 patients (19.4%) had non-ST elevation MI, nine patients (12.5%) had ST elevation MI, and 49 patients (68.1%) had unstable angina. The mean bypass age was 5.6±3.5 years. Of the study group, 38.9% were obese, 25% were diabetic, 54.2% were hypertensive, 44.4% were hyperlipidemic, and 26.4% were current smokers. Medications before admission included aspirin (81.9%), statin (25%), beta-blocker (27.8%), ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (27.8%), and calcium channel antagonist (36.1%). Increased LDL cholesterol (≥100 mg/dl) and decreased HDL cholesterol (≤50 mg/dl) levels were present in 55.6% and 80.6%, respectively. Mortality occurred in 15 patients, four during hospitalization, and 11 after discharge. The overall mortality rate was 21.4%. In correlation analysis, mortality was positively correlated with age (r=0.34, p=0.005), bypass age (r=0.37, p=0.001), CRP level (r=0.31, p=0.033) and negatively correlated with beta-blocker use (r=-0.25, p=0.041) and ejection fraction (r=-0.37, p=0.016).
Conclusion: Our results show that, following CABG surgery, special consideration should be given to risk factor management and use of agents with proven effects against cardiovascular mortality such as statins, betablockers, and ACE inhibitors.

Objectives: We prospectively classified patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) into two age groups, <70 years and ≥70 years, and investigated the frequency of cardiac catheterization, the predictors of cardiac catheterization in the older patient population, and determined early mortality in patients treated with or without cardiac catheterization.
Study design: The study included 1,101 patients admitted with ACS. The patients were prospectively classified in two age groups, <70 years (n=762; mean age 55±9 years) and ≥70 years (n=339; mean age 76±5 years). Data on demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, and the presence or absence of cardiac catheterization were recorded. The predictors of cardiac catheterization were assessed in the overall patient group and in those ≥70 years of age, and 30-day mortality rates were determined.
Results: Compared with the older group, in younger patients cardiac catheterization was more frequent (74.4% vs. 50.7%, p=0.0001) and earlier (p=0.023), and decision for percutaneous coronary intervention was more common (52.7% vs. 40.7%, p=0.010), whereas coronary bypass grafting was performed more frequently in the older group (43% vs. 31.2%, p=0.010). Overall 30-day mortality rates showed significant differences in both groups between patients treated with or without cardiac catheterization (<70 years: 3.7% vs. 18.3%, p<0.0001; ≥70 years: 5.6% vs. 21%, p<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed the following as significant predictors of cardiac catheterization in patients ≥70 years of age: heart failure (OR: 3.853, p=0.017), systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg (OR: 3.602, p=0.008), creatinine clearance <60 ml/min (OR: 2.761, p=0.001), and ST-segment elevation ≥1 mm on the electrocardiogram (OR: 2.817, p=0.0001).
Conclusion: Invasive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are implemented less frequently in elderly patients. These procedures, which offer obvious mortality benefit, should be considered in elderly patients after meticulous risk evaluation.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic functions and myocardial performance index (MPI) in obese individuals with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Study design: The study included 44 obese subjects with MetS (16 men; 28 women; mean age 46±7 years) and 32 obese subjects without MetS (16 men, 16 women; mean age 43±9 years). Diagnosis of MetS was based on the ATP III criteria. Obesity was defined with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2. All the subjects underwent echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging to determine LV diastolic functions and MPI. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of obese subjects were compared with those of a control group consisting of 21 healthy, nonobese individuals (10 men, 11 women; mean age 42±4 years).
Results: Waist circumference, weight, and BMI were similar in the two obese groups. Control subjects and obese subjects without MetS had similar systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol levels, but all these significantly differed in patients with MetS. Left ventricular mass, mass index, and diastolic parameters were similar in the two obese groups, but differed significantly from the controls (p<0.05). Body mass index was correlated with the LV mass (r=0.42, p=0.001) and mass index (r=0.33, p=0.001). Left ventricular MPI was similar in the two obese groups with (0.59±0.10) and without (0.59±0.11) MetS, but was higher compared to the control group (0.48±0.06, p<0.05). Left ventricular MPI was correlated with BMI, waist circumference, LV mass, and mass index (r=0.24, p=0.02; r=0.30, p=0.005; r=0.31, p=0.002; r=0.21, p=0.04, respectively).
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that obesity with or without MetS affects LV MPI. In addition, LV MPI showed significant correlations with BMI, waist circumference, and LV mass.

Objectives: We examined the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and coronary flow rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and angiographically normal coronary arteries.
Study design: The study included 54 consecutive patients (36 males, 18 females; age range 37 to 72 years) with type 2 DM, whose coronary arteries were found normal on coronary angiography. All patients underwent echocardiography and plasma HbA1c levels were measured before coronary angiography. To determine slow coronary flow (SCF), coronary flow rates of the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (Cx), and right coronary (RCA) arteries were assessed using the TIMI frame count (TFC) method.
Results: None of the patients had echocardiographic abnormalities. The mean HbA1c level was 7.4±2.0%, and the mean TFCs were 34.3±6.5, 22.4±3.5, and 20.4±2.2 for the LAD, Cx, and RCA, respectively. HbA1c levels were <7% in 26 patients, and ≥7% in 28 patients. Thirty-eight patients (70.4%) were found to have SCF in at least one coronary artery. TIMI frame counts of all three coronary arteries were significantly greater in patients in whom HbA1c was ≥7% (p<0.001). TIMI frame counts showed significant correlations with the HbA1c level (LAD: r=0.782; Cx: r=0.707; RCA: r=0.515; p<0.001 for all). The mean HbA1c level was significantly higher in patients with SCF compared to patients without SCF (7.8±1.9% vs. 5.6±0.9%; p<0.001). The incidence of SCF was significantly greater in patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% than those with HbA1c <7.0% (96.4% vs. 61.5%; p=0.004). Increased HbA1c (≥7%) significantly increased the risk for SCF in at least one coronary artery (OR=16.875; 95% CI 1.972-144.38).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is a strong correlation between the HbA1c level and coronary flow rate.

Objectives: Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery branch from the aorta in the presence of separate aortic and pulmonary valves is a rare but important entity necessitating early diagnosis and surgery to prevent irreversible vascular pulmonary disease. We evaluated our experience with seven infants having this anomaly.
Study design: Between December 2003 and 2009, a total of seven infants (2 girls, 5 boys, age range 4 days to 84 days) were diagnosed as having anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery branch from the aorta. Clinical records were reviewed for clinical features, operative procedures, and postoperative follow-up.
Results: Common symptoms were dyspnea, tachypnea, and poor feeding. All the cases were diagnosed by echocardiography. The right pulmonary artery in six cases and the left pulmonary artery in one case originated from the ascending aorta. In addition, three patients had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), five patients had patent foramen ovale, and one patient had interruption of the aortic arch and aortopulmonary window. All patients underwent surgical re-implantation of the anomalous pulmonary artery branch to the pulmonary trunk. Associated surgical procedures included PDA ligation in three patients, and total repair of interrupted aortic arch and aortopulmonary window in one patient. There were no in-hospital deaths. Two patients had prolonged intubation (10 and 16 days). All patients were discharged in good clinical condition. During a follow-up period ranging from two months to six years, only one patient developed stenosis at the site of anastomosis.
Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis at infancy, improved surgical technique, and good patient care decrease mortality and morbidity associated with anomalous origin of the pulmonary artery from the aorta.

Intercoronary connection is an infrequent finding during coronary angiography and may serve as a safety valve for compromised coronary circulation. A 60-year-old woman with hyperlipidemia was admitted with stable angina pectoris of one-year history. Physical examination including cardiac auscultation was normal. The electrocardiogram showed no ischemic changes. Transthoracic echocardiography showed no wall motion abnormality and she had normal ejection fraction. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the proximal portion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and severe occlusion of the circumflex artery. Selective right coronary angiography showed no stenosis, with anterograde filling of the right coronary artery (RCA) and retrograde filling of the LAD through the RCA. The totally occluded LAD was in communication with the distal RCA through a large lumen as a single conduit whose diameter was equal to that of the distal LAD. Left ventriculography showed no abnormality. Because of the retrograde filling of the LAD with TIMI III flow, grafting of the LAD was not considered. The patient underwent successful bare metal stent implantation in the circumflex artery and was discharged free of chest pain on medical treatment.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly either presenting as a congenital heart disease or occurring secondary to cardiac surgical interventions. A 19-year-old male patient presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. On auscultation, a grade 4/6 early diastolic murmur was heard over the left lower sternal border and Erb’s area with a thrill. Crepitating rales were heard over bilateral basal lung fields. The electrocardiogram showed right bundle branch block and ST depression. Troponin and CK-MB levels were increased. Shortly after admission, he developed ventricular fibrillation and was defibrillated three times. After restoration of hemodynamic stabilization, transthoracic echocardiography was performed, which showed grade 4 aortic regurgitation, patent foramen ovale, and an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva arising from the right coronary sinus, with rupture into the right ventricle. The patient underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, for repair of the ruptured SVA and patent foramen ovale and aortic valve replacement. He was discharged on the fifth postoperative day following an uneventful operation and postoperative course.

Late stent thrombosis is very rare in bare metal stents. We report a 72-year-old male patient who developed late thrombosis of a bare metal stent implanted in the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The patient presented with cardiogenic shock 350 days after the first stent implantation. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the stent. Following the first balloon predilatation of the lesion, a flow in the LMCA was observed, but there was no flow in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Then, a bare metal stent was implanted into the LAD. Although the flow was maintained and all inotropic support continued, hypotension persisted. Angiography of the right coronary artery demonstrated 90% stenosis at the same location which had been observed as a noncritical lesion during the first percutaneous coronary intervention. As the patient was in shock, the right coronary artery was also stented and TIMI 3 flow was obtained. However, the patient developed cardiac arrest and died despite repeated efforts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was learned that the patient had undergone an urological operation for bladder stone nine days before, for which both aspirin and clopidogrel were discontinued six days before the operation. Only aspirin was reinitiated three days after the procedure. He then presented to our hospital with cardiogenic shock on his first day after discharge.

Retained cardiac pellets are clinically silent foreign bodies that do not cause any cardiovascular disturbance. A 71-year-old woman presented with exertional chest pain. Her physical examination and surface electrocardiogram were normal. After a positive treadmill test, coronary angiography was performed which showed nonsignificant coronary lesions. During fluoroscopy, several pellets were observed throughout the neck and two of them were simultaneously moving within the heart shadow. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed no evidence for pericardial effusion. Computed tomography scans of the chest showed the pellets above the left diaphragm in the pericardial area. Her past medical history revealed an accidental shot from a pellet rifle by her son 25 years before, at which time no surgical intervention was planned as she had been asymptomatic.

Traumatic intravascular hemolysis after heart valve replacement can be a serious problem. It is commonly associated with either structural deterioration or paravalvular leaks. A 63-year-old woman with a six-year history of surgery for mitral stenosis presented with complaints of weakness and dyspnea. She received treatment at other centers three times in the past six months for dyspnea and anemia requiring transfusion of red blood cells. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a normally functioning mitral mechanic prosthesis. Laboratory findings were abnormal for hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, serum haptoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Peripheral blood smear showed marked schistocytes, indicative of mechanical erythrocyte destruction. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated severe paravalvular leak and a large (9x13 mm) vegetation adhering to the prosthetic valve, protruding into the left atrium. Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from blood cultures. Surgery was planned because of large vegetation, repeated hemolysis, and severe paravalvular regurgitation, but the patient refused surgical treatment.

We report on a 43-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath and syncope due to massive pulmonary embolism. Transthoracic echocardiography showed signs of right ventricular overload, and contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography demonstrated filling defects in both main pulmonary arteries consistent with obstructing thrombi. Initially, thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was given, but shock was not resolved. Thrombolytic therapy was repeated with streptokinase and infusion was extended to 48 hours, which yielded a successful result without any hemorrhagic complication. Repeated prolonged thrombolytic therapy after initial unsuccessful thrombolysis can be considered an alternative option in massive pulmonary embolism.

Several clinical parameters and noninvasive tests have been developed to identify patients under the risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). The microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) test is a noninvasive diagnostic method based on the measurement of subtle (microvolt) beat-to-beat alternation of the T-wave on the surface electrocardiogram and used for risk stratification of patients under the risk for SCD. Studies in the last decade have shown that the MTWA test is an effective method to distinguish patients with a high risk for arrhythmogenic mortality among patients suffering ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathies or with a history of myocardial infarction, with a high negative predictive value. This review revisits the MTWA test in the light of the most recent clinical studies.