Objective: This study aims to describe the effects of the new academic criteria, established in 2016, on the abstracts presented at the National Congress of the Turkish Society of Cardiology (NCTSC).

Methods: Abstracts from 13 consecutive annual congresses were reviewed. A literature search using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases determined if an abstract was later published in a scientific journal. Abstracts was divided into two time groups based on 2016 academic criteria: Group 1 contained 4,828 abstracts accepted for NCTSC from 2009 to 2016, and Group 2 had 2,284 abstracts accepted for NCTSC from 2017 to 2021.

Results: Between 2009-2021, 7,112 abstracts were accepted into the NCTSC scientific program. Group 2 exhibited a lower publication rate (43.2 vs. 23.9%, P < 0.001), fewer authors [7 (5-9) vs. 4 (3-6), P < 0.001], and a reduced rate of original investigations (72.3% vs. 56.5%, P < 0.001) compared to Group 1. Concerning the quality metrics of journals where the abstracts were published, Group 2 had a lower impact factor (0.59 ± 1.71 vs. 0.26 ± 1.09, P < 0.001), decreased presence in the science citation index or science citation index-expanded indices (70.4% vs. 57.9%, P < 0.001), and a smaller representation in the second or third quartile (24.2% vs. 16.1%, P < 0.001) than Group 1. Being in Group 1, oral presentations, original investigations, and cardiac imaging were identified as independent predictors for subsequent publication in scientific journals.

Conclusion: The study reveals that the 2016 academic criteria negatively impacted the publication processes of abstracts accepted at NCTSCs.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate cyclophilin levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their association with the clinical characteristics of these patients.

Methods: We enrolled 150 patients with ACS (n=75 ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], n = 75 non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]). For comparison, 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Levels of cyclophilin A, cyclophilin D, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in both the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) groups and the healthy group. We examined the effects of cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, age, gender, and smoking on these parameters.

Results: Cyclophilin A levels were significantly lower in the STEMI group, while cyclophilin D and CRP levels were significantly higher in all AMI groups (P < 0.05). A negative correlation existed between cyclophilin A and troponin T and CK-MB (respectively r = -0.287, P < 0.001; r = -0.231, P = 0.005). However, there was no correlation between cyclophilin D and the cardiac markers. A positive correlation was observed between cyclophilin D and CRP (r = 0.219, P = 0.004). Cyclophilin A was associated with hypertension, whereas cyclophilin D was associated with the female gender and dyslipidemia (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a decrease in cyclophilin A indicates a more severe disease in STEMI and an increase in cyclophilin D in both STEMI and NSTEMI may be valuable markers. Therefore, further detailed studies are warranted to monitor their changes and interactions in ACS patients.

Objective: Spontaneous reperfusion (SR) presence and a low PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score in patients with acute coronary syndrome have been associated with favorable clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SR and this score.

Methods:  The study included 436 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) III blood flow presence in the infarct-related artery (IRA) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was defined as SR. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence (n = 49) or absence (n = 387) of SR. The PRECISE-DAPT score was computed for each patient using the web-based calculator.

Results:  The group with SR had a lower frequency of hyperlipidemia and a higher ejection fraction (EF) at admission. Conversely, the group without SR presented with higher values of glucose, troponin, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), and PRECISE-DAPT score. The no-reflow phenomenon and elevated SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX-I) scores were higher in the group without SR than in the one with SR. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that a high PRECISE-DAPT score was an independent predictor of the absence of SR (odds ratio: 0.96, P = 0.04).

Conclusion: The PRECISE-DAPT score is an independent predictor of the presence of spontaneous reperfusion in patients who experienced STEMI.

Objective: Angina pectoris (AP) is defined as a clinical symptom characterized by sensations such as pressure-heaviness, burning, squeezing, or discomfort in different parts of the body, including the retrosternum, chest, jaw, neck, shoulders, and back. Limited publications exist on the impact of coronary artery disease localization on the placement, character, and severity of AP. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the frequency of AP development due to myocardial ischemia during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), its character, severity, localization, and coronary anatomy.

Methods: A total of 128 patients were included in the study, with 146 lesions treated among them.

Results: Among patients who underwent PCI of the right coronary artery (RCA), 31.1% reported no complaints. Similar rates were observed in patients undergoing PCI of the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (Cx) arteries, at 23.7% and 19.1%, respectively. Pressure-heaviness was frequently observed in PCI of the LAD and Cx arteries, while burning was the dominant symptom description in PCI of the RCA. The isolated retrosternal and left thoracic regions were the most common localizations in all main coronary arteries. Epigastric localization occurred most frequently in PCI of the RCA. In terms of the severity of angina, no significant difference was observed between the three coronary arteries.

Conclusion: Pressure-heaviness angina was commonly observed during PCI of the LAD and Cx, while burning angina was frequent during PCI of the RCA. The severity of AP was similar across the three main coronary arteries.

Objective: Direct current electrical cardioversion (DCCV) is an effective rhythm-control option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite initial success, a high recurrence rate remains a significant challenge. There is limited data on the genetic predictors of AF recurrence following successful DCCV. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with AF are also linked to recurrence after DCCV in the Turkish population.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with persistent AF, who achieved stable sinus rhythm following DCCV, were included in the study. The patients were prospectively monitored for the onset of AF recurrence. Clinical characteristics and SNPs were analyzed and compared between patients who experienced recurrence and those who did not.

Results: The average age of the patients was 61.9 ± 11.5, and 33 (44%) were female. Over an average follow-up period of 17.0 (11.0-25.0) months, AF recurrence was observed in 38 patients (50.7%). A SNP in the PITX2 gene (rs17570669) (OR: 9.00, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.28-63.02) and another in the ZFHX3 gene (rs2106261) (OR: 8.96, 95% CI: 1.03-77.66) were notably associated with AF recurrence in the additive model (P = 0.027 and 0.047, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the rs17570669 SNP was the sole independent predictor of AF recurrence (Hazard Ratio (HR): 3.59, 95% CI: 1.05-12.21, P = 0.040).

Conclusion: The SNP in the paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) gene (rs17570669) emerges as an independent predictor for AF recurrence after successful electrical cardioversion.

Objective: The relationship between oral health and general health has gained increased attention in recent years. This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cardiologists in Türkiye concerning the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: After a pilot test, a modified survey was dispatched to 1,894 practicing cardiologists in Türkiye. Two mailings were carried out, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: Of the 1,894 cardiologists surveyed, 166 responded, yielding a response rate of 11.5%. The majority of respondents (77%) were male and held professional positions in academia (45%), as assistant doctors (17.5%), or in private practice (12.7%). Ninety percent of respondents accurately recognized periodontal disease as a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease. Meanwhile, 78% concurred that inflammation is a pivotal connection between periodontal disease and CVD. On the topic of whether treating periodontal disease could reduce a patient’s CVD risk, 37% of the polled cardiologists expressed uncertainty, while 9% disagreed. Seventy six percent believed that periodontists and cardiologists should collaborate to reduce shared risk factors for both cardiovascular and periodontal diseases. Additionally, 80% expressed interest in deepening their understanding of the link between periodontitis and CVD.

Conclusion: While the vast majority of participants acknowledged that microbially-associated, host-mediated inflammation is a hallmark of periodontitis, consensus was lacking on inflammation being the primary factor linking periodontal diseases and CVDs. The majority of respondents expressed eagerness understand better the relationship between these two diseases, with the intention of enhancing oral health content in medical school and attending relevant seminars.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke are two prevalent health conditions with many shared risk factors. Over the past two decades, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as important alternatives to vitamin K antagonists, owing to their efficacy, safety profile, and the absence of a need for frequent international normalized ratio monitoring. Introduced as the most recent NOAC, edoxaban has been approved for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF in numerous countries since 2014. The pivotal phase III Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48 (ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48) trial demonstrated that edoxaban is as efficacious as warfarin in preventing strokes and systemic embolic events. Furthermore, it is linked to reduced rates of major, life-threatening, intracranial, major, or clinically relevant non-major bleeding events and decreased cardiovascular mortality in AF when compared to warfarin. Growing data highlights the utilization of edoxaban in treating AF patients in clinical settings. This article provides an overview of real-world evidence regarding edoxaban’s use in preventing stroke and systemic embolic events in AF patients, emphasizing the concerns that physicians factor into their clinical decision-making.

Coronary artery perforation is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Although there are a few treatment options available, such as coil or fat tissue embolization and stent-graft implantation, the closed-loop balloon-stent technique can be especially effective for thin vessel ruptures. In this case report, we demonstrate the successful application of the closed-loop balloon-stent embolization for a perforation of the distal left anterior descending artery, a procedure which, to our knowledge, has not been previously documented in the literature.

In high-risk patients with aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) provides functional improvement. Vascular complications after TAVI are known to occur frequently. Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening vascular complication of TAVI. Here, we present a case of delayed aortic dissection following a successful TAVI procedure.

A 19-year-old male presented with dyspnea on exertion (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II) and occasional palpitations for six months. He had initially been evaluated at another facility and diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Despite treatment, there was no improvement in his symptoms. On evaluation at our centre, his previous electrocardiograms appeared normal. However, palpation of his radial pulse for one minute revealed runs of regular tachycardia, interspersed with a normal pulse rate. A 30-second rhythm strip electrocardiogram (ECG) showed multiple runs of ectopic tachycardia originating from the right atrial appendage, interspersed with ectopic atrial rhythms. Echocardiography showed severe left ventricle (LV) dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 20-25%. Radio-frequency ablation was recommended, but the patient declined. Instead, he was started on Ivabradine. After a month, his symptoms fully resolved. The ECG displayed a normal sinus rhythm with no tachycardia, and his left ventricular ejection function improved.