Herewith, new atrial fibrillation guideline which is published in 2010 by European Society of Cardiology has been briefly discussed.

Aims: Isovolumic acceleration assessed with tissue Doppler imaging has been proposed as a preload-independent indicator of left ventricular contractility. We investigated the utility of isovolumic acceleration in the prediction of preclinical right and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in hypertensive and obese subjects.
Methods: Seventy eight obese (body mass index>30 kg/m2) volunteers were prospectively enrolled. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed on all patients. Myocardial velocities of the left ventricular septal and lateral mitral annulus and lateral tricuspid annulus were obtained. The isovolumic contraction wave was determined as the preceding wave to the systolic wave that begins before the peak of the R wave on ECG. IVA was measured by dividing peak velocity by the time interval from onset of the wave (zero-crossing) during isovolumic contraction to the time at peak velocity of this wave.
Results: There was a positive correlation between waist circumference and left ventricular end systolic (r=0.22 p=0.047) and end-diastolic diameter (r=0.384, r=0.001) and a negative correlation between waist circumference and tricuspid annulus TDI peak systolic velocity (r= -0.311, p=0.006). Although hypertensive and normotensive obese patients had similiar TDI based myocardial velocities, hypertensive obese patients had significantly lower tricuspid annulus isovolumic acceleration (p=0.027), septal isovolumic acceleration (p=0.026), and septal isovolumic contraction myocardial velocity (p=0.018) than normotensive obese subjects.
Conclusion: Isovolumic acceleration and isovolumic contraction myocardial velocity analysis may be useful in the diagnosis of subclinical left and right ventricular dysfunction in hypertensive and obese patients.

Objectives: Perforation of heart chambers is one of the rare complications observed during electrophysiological studies and placement of pacemaker leads. In this study, we performed a retrospective evaluation of patients with catheter-related right heart perforation, aiming to determine its incidence and clinical course.
Study design: We reviewed cases with catheter-relater cardiac perforations observed at our institution from June 2002 to November 2007.
Results: During the study period, a total of 2,385 procedures were performed (1,287 electrophysiologic studies, 1,098 temporary nonballoon-floating pacing lead placements). Eight cardiac perforations were diagnosed, with the overall procedure-based and catheter-based incidences of 0.34% (8/2,385) and 0.14% (8/5,603), respectively. Three of these perforations were related to diagnostic electrophysiology catheters, and five were related to temporary (1 permanent) transvenous pacemaker leads. Seven perforations involved the right ventricle and one involved the right atrium. Three patients in whom right ventricular perforation was detected at a late stage died suddenly after pacemaker lead implantation. One patient underwent surgical exploration because of right atrial perforation. Two patients underwent coronary bypass operation and, in one of these patients, perforation was detected during surgery. Two patients were managed conservatively.
Conclusion: Although right ventricular perforations detected early have a relatively benign course, those detected late and right atrial perforations require emergent surgical exploration and may have catastrophic consequences.

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and blood high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease.
Study design: The study included 104 patients who underwent coronary angiography at least one month after acute coronary event and were found to have total coronary occlusion in at least one major coronary artery. Patients with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome within the past month, severe valve disease, systemic disease, systemic inflammatory disease, or a history of coronary surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention were excluded. Collateral circulation was graded according to the Rentrop classification. Grades 0 and 1 were defined as poor, grades 2 and 3 were defined as good CCC. Blood hs-CRP levels were measured 1 to 7 days before coronary angiography.
Results: According to the Rentrop classification, CCC was graded as 0 in 10 patients, 1 in 26 patients, 2 in 29 patients, and 3 in 39 patients. Sixty-eight patients (65.4%) had a good CCC, and 36 patients (34.6%) had a poor CCC. The two groups were similar with respect to age, sex, risk factors, medications, localization of the occluded coronary artery, and the number of occluded arteries. However, hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with a poor CCC (median 5.42 mg/dl; range 2.3-9.8 mg/dl) compared to those with a good CCC (median 3.36 mg/dl; range 2.2-9.7 mg/dl, p=0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that hs-CRP level was a significant predictor exerting an adverse effect on collateral development (β=-320; odds ratio= 0.725; 95% confidence interval 0.587-0.894; p=0.003).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high hs-CRP level is a significant predictor of poor collateral development in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease.

Objective: Time of tissue deformation is an important role in regional myocardial contractile function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coronary slow flow (CSF) on time to peak systolic strain (Ts).
Study Design: The study included 25 patients who had CSF pattern in coronary angiogram and 20 controls who had normal coronary angiogram. ‘TIMI frame count (TFC)’ methods were used for the detection of CSF. Echocardiographic recordings were obtained from standard apical/parasternal views. Color Doopler myocardial imaging (CDMI) data were acquired at 160-200 s-1 frame rates. Ejection fraction (EF) was measured by Simpson’s rule. Ts were measured from basal, mid and apical segments of all left ventricular walls.
Results: There was no difference between patients and controls for left ventricular systolic functions (EF; 67±5 vs. 66±4, respectively). TFC values were greater in the patients than in the controls (LAD: 42.80±7.65 vs. 17.90±3.46; Cx: 37.68±6.49 vs. 16.60±2.90; RCA: 41.20±6.37 vs. 17.30±2.69; respectively, p<0.001 for all). There were significant differences between patients and controls for Ts, in 18 segments to left ventricle (p<0.001). Mean Ts were shorter in most of the mid segments compared with basal segments (p<0.05) in same walls of patients and controls. There were no differences in mean Ts between the mid and apical segments in all subjects.
Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate the coronary slow flow induced prolongation of the time to peak systolic strain. This condition might be an additional factor to deterioration of regional myocardial contractile function in CSF patients.

Objectives: Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) has become an important alternative treatment to surgery. We evaluated our clinical experience with, and short-term results of transcatheter closure of ASDs with the Amplatzer septal occluder in adult patients.
Study design: The study included 52 patients (36 women, 16 men; mean age 33±14 years; range 14 to 69 years) who underwent transcatheter ASD closure with the Amplatzer occluder device. The mean ASD diameter measured by transesophageal echocardiography was 19.5±5.7 mm and the mean device diameter was 24.5±5.7 mm. All the patients were assessed clinically and echocardiographically one month after the procedure.
Results: Transcatheter ASD closure was successfully performed in 48 patients (92.3%) and failed in four patients (7.7%). Echocardiographic controls showed significant decreases in tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular dilatation, and pulmonary artery pressure (p=0.003, p=0.026, and p=0.0001, respectively). Functional capacity of the patients also showed significant improvements (p=0.0001). After implantation, residual shunts were detected in four patients, all of which disappeared one month after the procedure. Major complications were seen in two patients. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation immediately after the procedure due to device embolization. One patient with left ventricular dysfunction developed device thrombosis due to cessation of dual antiplatelet therapy, which was successfully treated by anticoagulation therapy. Arrhythmia was not observed in any patient.
Conclusion: Percutaneous closure of secundum ASDs with the Amplatzer occluder device is a safe and effective procedure with a high success rate.

Objectives: Routine use of Doppler echocardiography for the initial diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) might allow early detection and, hence, prevention of rheumatic recurrences. This study sought to determine the incidence of subclinical carditis in ARF patients.
Study design: The study included 80 patients (64 migratory polyarthritis, 16 rheumatic chorea) who were diagnosed with ARF according to the Jones criteria, 1992 update. Rheumatic carditis was defined as the presence of the following findings on Doppler echocardiography: mitral and aortic regurgitant jets in at least two planes, the length of the jets >1 cm, and peak flow velocities of >2.5 m/sec for both mitral and aortic regurgitations persisting throughout systole and diastole, respectively. The patients diagnosed with subclinical carditis were re-evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results: Echocardiography revealed subclinical carditis in 25 patients (31.3%; 13 girls, 12 boys; mean age 11.4±2.5 years) with ARF. Of 64 patients with migratory polyarthritis, 34 (53.1%) had clinical carditis and 17 (26.6%) had subclinical carditis. The incidences of clinical and subclinical carditis among 16 patients with rheumatic chorea were 31.3% (n=5) and 50% (n=8), respectively. Of 20 patients who completed one-year follow-up, persistence of subclinical carditis was observed in 11 cases (55%).
Conclusion: Clinicians should be attentive to the presence of cardiac involvement among patients with suspected ARF. Considering the high incidence of subclinical carditis, echocardiographic evidence of carditis should be used as a diagnostic criterion.

Cardiac involvement is an uncommon presentation of hydatid cyst disease, accounting for approximately 0.5-2% of all hydatidosis cases, and mainly occurring as part of a systemic infection. Herein, we report on an isolated cardiac hydatid cyst in a 57-year-old woman. She presented with a complaint of squeezing chest pain of 10 month-history. On transthoracic echocardiography, a mass like appearance with heterogeneous echogenicity was noted in the left ventricular wall, suggesting a primary cardiac tumor or a mass compressing the left ventricle. Thoracic computed tomography findings were reported as a calcified left ventricular aneurysm 50x65 mm in size and minimal pericardial fluid. Coronary angiography showed normal epicardial coronary arteries and an apical mass with calcified contours. Serological test was negative for echinococcal disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion, 54x48 mm in size, in the left ventricular anterolateral wall, protruding into the lumen. After albendazole treatment for four weeks, surgery was performed for excision of the cyst. During the operation, rupture of the cyst was noted. The diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst was confirmed by pathological examination. During a six-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with no cystic appearance on transthoracic echocardiography.

A 44-year-old woman was admitted with the diagnosis of peripheral arterial emboli. Peripheral angiography demonstrated total occlusion of the popliteal artery. The obstruction was successfully resolved with a Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed a mobile, round thrombus in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. The patient did not accept surgery, and anticoagulation with warfarin was initiated. One month after treatment, transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated disappearance of the thrombus in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. The patient did not experience any recurrent episode of systemic embolization. This is a rare case of peripheral embolism caused by a thrombus in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva without aneurysm.

We present an interesting case of ‘‘pseudo’’ atrial fibrillation which was further diagnosed as atrial standstill with irregular junctional ectopic rhythm during electrophysiologic study. A 56-year-old woman presented to a health facility with symptoms of palpitation, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Upon detection of irregular rhythm with narrow QRS complexes and no visible P waves on the electrocardiogram, newly developed atrial fibrillation was considered and a direct current cardioversion was performed, during which cardiac asystole developed necessitating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The patient was then transferred to our institution. Echocardiographic examination showed biatrial dilatation, normal left ventricular systolic function, marked left ventricular hypertrophy, severe aortic stenosis, moderate mitral regurgitation, and severe tricuspid regurgitation. The electrocardiogram showed an irregular rhythm with narrow QRS complexes without any fibrillatory f waves and 24-hour Holter monitoring revealed three episodes of ventricular asystole lasting for more than 3.5 seconds. During the electrophysiologic study, no electrical activity was observed at the high and low levels of the right atrial lateral free wall and septal wall. The final diagnosis was established as atrial standstill and irregular junctional ectopic rhythm. The patient refused aortic valve replacement and died due to progression of the underlying disease one year following permanent pacemaker implantation.

Fulminant myocarditis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the myocardium and causes acute-onset heart failure. Its prognosis is poor unless patients are promptly and aggressively supported. Although an autoimmune mechanism has been postulated for myocarditis, immunomodulatory treatment strategies are still under investigation. We report on a 30-year-old woman with acute myocarditis, whose condition rapidly deteriorated despite standard medical therapy. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (70 g/day for 2 days) was given and the patient showed dramatic improvement on the second day. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 32% to 40% and to 50% at 24 and 48 hours of treatment, respectively. She was discharged on the tenth day with normal ejection fraction. She was free of cardiac events during a two-year follow-up. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin may be potentially useful in selected patients, especially if given early in acute fulminant myocarditis.

Methemoglobinemia is characterized by varying degrees of cyanosis due to increased hemoglobin concentrations containing oxidized iron. Prilocaine is a widely used local anesthetic and can cause methemoglobinemia in infants even in therapeutic doses. We present two female infants (younger than 2 months) who developed severe cyanosis after transcatheter pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty and were diagnosed with toxic methemoglobinemia. Both infants were anesthetized with local prilocaine application before balloon valvuloplasty. Methemoglobin levels of the patients were measured as 49.6% and 37.7%, respectively. Both were successfully treated with intravenous methylene blue and ascorbic acid.

We present a 19-year-old asymptomatic female patient in whom isolated pulmonary supravalvular stenosis and pulmonary artery aneurysm were incidentally detected. On cardiologic examination, a systolic murmur was heard over the lungs, right axis deviation was seen on the electrocardiogram, and marked appearance of the pulmonary artery was noted on the chest X-ray. On transthoracic echocardiography, the pulmonary artery trunk was found to be wider than normal, and there were mild pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation. Color Doppler examination showed a turbulent flow 2 cm distal to the pulmonary valve. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a supravalvular membranous structure and a proximal pulmonary artery aneurysm. The pulmonary artery trunk was measured as 40 mm at the widest part. Thoracic computed tomography revealed that the proximal pulmonary artery aneurysm was localized to the pulmonary artery trunk and measured 41 mm. As the patient was asymptomatic and there were no signs of aneurysmatic compression or a left-to-right shunt, and due to the presence of a relatively low gradient (16 mmHg) across the stenotic area, she was scheduled to regular radiologic control.

The performance of Turkey’s institutions was evaluated regarding publication output in cardiovascular medicine in 2010 based on data of the Web of Knowledge. Only articles in full-text and reviews that appeared in source publications covered by Science Citation Index CD Edition were included. A fractional count system was used for items published jointly with a foreign or noncardiological Turkish institution. Turkey’s publications numbered as low as 121, representing more than one-fourth decline, and her share of world publication decreased from 8.2 to 6.1 per mille, to a level below that of before 2001. Ninety-five articles originated from adult cardiology. The median impact factor also declined to 1.60, by one-fifth compared with the previous year; half of the publications appeared in periodicals with an impact factor of 1.15-2.60. Among medical institutions with highest productivity, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, and Kartal Koşuyolu Education and Research Hospital as well as Erciyes University and Cerrahpaşa medical faculties ranked in front. Authorities need to be aware that Turkey’s science and, in particular, cardiology are losing prestige and should take new serious measures.

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