Objective: Myocardial infarction is associated with right ventricular (RV) remodeling. Glypican-6 (GPC6), a member of the membrane proteoglycan family, plays a significant role in cardiac remodeling. This study aims to determine if GPC6 can predict RV remodeling after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods: The study enrolled 164 consecutive patients with NSTEMI and controls. It compared baseline plasma GPC6 levels, echocardiography, and laboratory parameters between the RV remodeling and non-RV remodeling groups with NSTEMI. Echocardiographic data were measured at baseline and at six months.

Results: GPC6 levels were higher in the NSTEMI group 11.06 ng/mL (4.61-18.17) vs. 5.98 ng/mL (3.81-9.83) compared to the control group in the initial phase. RV remodeling, defined as a ≥ 20% increase in RV end-diastolic area (RV EDA), was observed in 23 patients (30%). After six months, RV EDA increased significantly from baseline 18.68 ± 1.20 cm2 vs. 24.91 ± 1.08 cm2, P < 0.001. GPC6 was a significant independent predictor of RV remodeling (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.546, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.056-2.245, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses showed that GPC6 values > 15.5 ng/mL (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.828, sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 74%, P < 0.001) were strong predictors of RV remodeling.

Conclusion: NSTEMI patients should be closely monitored for RV remodeling. GPC6 appears useful in detecting RV remodeling following NSTEMI in patients undergoing PCI.

Objective: A significant number of individuals with mild mitral stenosis (MS) experience exertional symptoms that are disproportionate to the hemodynamic severity of their condition. This study aims to determine whether exercise-induced left atrial (LA) dysfunction occurs in these patients and whether it is related to the development of symptoms.

Methods: In this observational study, we recruited 46 patients with mild MS. Echocardiographic measurements were initially taken at rest, followed by a maximal exercise stress test. Patients were then returned to the echocardiography laboratory for post-exercise measurements.

Results: Our study cohort exhibited considerably higher left atrial volume index (LAVI) values (mean: 40.52 ± 18.27) compared to those of a healthy population. Furthermore, the LA reservoir strain (mean: 17.1 ± 8.33) was reduced relative to reference values. Following exercise, there was no change in the LA reservoir strain. However, trans-mitral pressure gradients and systolic pulmonary artery pressures increased. The post-exercise mean trans-mitral gradient was identified as the sole predictor of symptom development in patients with mild MS.

Conclusion: The LA reservoir strain is already reduced in individuals with mild MS, and exercise does not lead to further decline in LA reservoir function in these cases. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the effects of exercise on LA mechanics in MS.

Objective: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG LVH) holds significant clinical importance in cardiovascular disease. Pathological processes that lead to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) also induce remodeling and impair left atrial (LA) function. Atrial function can be assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography. This study investigates the potential impact of ECG LVH on LA strain.

Methods: A total of 62 individuals diagnosed with LVH, based on the echocardiographic left ventricular mass index, were included. ECG LVH was assessed using established protocols: the Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria (SV1 + RV5/RV6 > 35 mm), Cornell voltage criteria (RaVL + SV3 > 28 mm for men and > 20 mm for women), and the Cornell product criteria [(SV3 + RaVL + (for women 8 mm)] x QRS duration > 2440 mm x ms). Participants were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of ECG LVH. The relationship between LA strain measures and ECG characteristics was explored.

Results: The study population had a median age of 58.3 ± 10.1 years, with 40.3% being female, 91.9% hypertensive, and 35.5% diabetic. Nineteen patients (30.6%) were identified with ECG LVH based on Sokolow-Lyon voltage, Cornell voltage, or Cornell product criteria. These patients exhibited significantly reduced LA reservoir, conduit, and contraction strains (P < 0.001). Statistically significant correlations were observed between all three phases of LA strain measures and Sokolow-Lyon voltage (reservoir r = -0.389, P < 0.01; conduit r = -0.273, P < 0.05; contraction r = -0.359, P < 0.01), Cornell voltage (reservoir r = -0.49, P < 0.001; conduit r = -0.432, P < 0.001; contraction r = -0.339, P < 0.01), and Cornell product (reservoir r = -0.471, P < 0.001; conduit r = -0.387, P < 0.01; contraction r = -0.362, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: ECG LVH is associated with impaired LA strain, validating its use as an effective tool for predicting LA dysfunction.

Objective: Tricuspid valve surgery can be performed on a beating heart or on an arrested heart. We aimed to compare the outcomes of tricuspid valve surgery using these two different approaches.

Methods: Between January 2015 and February 2020, 204 patients who underwent tricuspid valve surgery along with concomitant cardiac surgical procedures were included in the study. Techniques of cross-clamping and beating-heart tricuspid surgery were applied to 103 and 101 patients, respectively. Concomitant valvular and/or coronary interventions were performed under cross clamping in both groups. Results from the preoperative period, immediate postoperative period, and six-month postoperative interval were compared between the groups.

Results: There were no differences in demographic characteristics or preoperative grades of tricuspid valve regurgitation between the groups. Duration of mechanical ventilation, and stays in the intensive care unit and hospital were significantly shorter in patients operated on using the beating-heart technique. Additionally, re-exploration surgery and mortality rates were significantly lower in the beating-heart group. Postoperative six-month echocardiography findings related to tricuspid valve regurgitation, maximum and minimum gradients of the tricuspid valve, and pulmonary arterial pressure were also lower in the beating-heart group.

Conclusion: Beating-heart tricuspid valve surgery may be preferable to the cross-clamping technique to avoid clamp-induced ischemia, which can lead to worsened postoperative outcomes.

Objective: Heart failure is a leading cause of death and the most common diagnosis leading to hospitalization. Its awareness is lower than that of other cardiovascular diseases, both in the general population and among patients with heart failure (HF). This study aimed to establish the current level of knowledge about HF in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in Türkiye.

Methods: This questionnaire-based survey study is multicenter, conducted across 34 centers from December 2021 to July 2022. We performed a survey consisting of two sets of questions focusing on individual characteristics of the patients and HF-related knowledge.

Results: The study included a total of 2,307 outpatient HF patients, comprising 70.5% males and 29.5% females with a mean age of 64.58 ± 13 (56-74) years and a mean body mass index value of 32.5 ± 10 kg/m2. HFrEF and HFmrEF were determined in 74.7% and 25.3% of patients, respectively. Thirty percent of the patients were unaware that they had HF. While 28.7% of the patients thought that they had sufficient information about HF, 71.3% believed they lacked adequate knowledge. In the study, 25.2% of the participants identified dyspnea, 22% identified tiredness, and 25.4% identified leg edema as the most common symptoms of HF. Only 27.4% of patients recognized all three typical symptoms of HF.

Conclusion: We found that the study population’s knowledge about HF symptoms and the nature of the disease was poor. Educational and awareness activities are necessary to optimize outcomes and benefits.

Objective: Chronic heart failure (CHF) management requires a multidisciplinary approach, and it’s very important for primary care physicians (PCC) to cooperate with cardiology physicians in this process. In this study, we tried to reveal the awareness and expectations of PCC about CHF management.

Methods: The study was designed as a descriptive survey in a single region and included 549 PCC. Data were collected through a survey study.

Results: A total of 389 PCC participated in our study. Of these, 137 (35.2%) stated that they had an average of more than 40 CHF patients registered with them, and 331 (85.1%) stated that they had identified them thanks to their medical treatment. The symptoms that physicians most frequently question in CHF patients are shortness of breath (27.5%), swelling in the ankle (27%), orthopnea (23.9%) and palpitations (20.5%). The physical examination findings that they question most frequently are peripheral edema (% 29.2), tachycardia (18.5%), crepitus in the lungs (16.8%), and irregular pulse (15.2%). 203 (55.9%) of PCC stated that measurements of natriuretic peptides could be implemented in their institutions if the necessary training and opportunity were provided. Most physicians (46.8%) stated that they should be given priority in referring CHF patients; 172 of them (44.2%) stated that they received in-service training regarding CHF and 278 of them (71.5%) stated that their training was not at a sufficient level.

Conclusion: It is clear that better results can be obtained in the management of CHF as the education level and professional experience of PHCs increases. It seems that PCC need training on CHF and need to improve the quality of communication with cardiologist’s.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a vital part of the pharmacological management in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While early discontinuation of DAPT increases ischemic risk, some patients on DAPT may require urgent surgery, necessitating its interruption. Cangrelor, an intravenous P2Y12 antagonist, provides strong platelet inhibition within minutes and platelet activity normalizes within one hour after the cessation of the drug. Bridging antiplatelet therapy with cangrelor has been increasingly studied as an alternative option to ensure the continuation of platelet inhibition in CAD patients who require discontinuation of DAPT. The present patient, with a recent history of PCI for acute coronary syndrome, experienced a significant esophageal perforation following transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). This severe complication was effectively managed endoscopically, and as part of the recent PCI treatment, prolonged cangrelor infusion was successfully utilized with no thrombotic or bleeding events throughout the management of the complication.

Right ventricular pacing (RVP) is conventionally preferred in the treatment of patients with atrioventricular block. However, long-term RVP may lead to pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM), characterized by new-onset or worsening ventricular functions due to dyssynchronous ventricular electrical activation, abnormal ventricular remodeling, and increased energy expenditure. Historically, biventricular pacing (BVP) and guideline-directed medical therapy were the only treatment option for PICM. Recently, conduction system pacing, including left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP), has emerged as a physiological alternative to BVP, showing better results in electro-mechanical ventricular synchronization and hemodynamic parameters compared to BVP. We present a case involving a patient from whom the PICM was successfully recovered shortly after LBBaP.

Brugada Syndrome Type 1 is an arrhythmogenic disorder triggered by various etiologies, including febrile illness, pregnancy, and certain medications. This paper describes the electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestation of the Brugada pattern in a patient who developed ventricular arrhythmia after undergoing general anesthesia for pituitary surgery.