Aims Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. While it impacts both sexes, women are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in lipid management. This study aimed to evaluate sex differences, and the gender-related factors potentially underlying them, in lipid control, the utilization of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), and related perceptions within a large real-world cohort. Methods We analyzed 1,482 patients with established ASCVD from the nationwide, multicenter EPHESUS registry, conducted in 40 cardiology outpatient clinics across Turkey. Differences between women and men in risk profiles, LLT use, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment, and perceptions from both patients and physicians were assessed. Women and men were compared before and after 1:1 propensity score matching for age and education; covariate balance was quantified with standardized mean differences (SMD). Results Women showed a greater burden of cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, yet were less often prescribed statins. Total cholesterol, HDL-C, non-HDL-C and on-treatment LDL-C were higher in women than in men, whereas triglycerides were similar between the sexes; on-treatment LDL-C was significantly higher in women (115 mg/dL vs. 100 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Women also met LDL-C targets less frequently according to the 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines (14.9% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.017), while the difference for the 2019 target was not significant (6.3% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.186). After matching, 924 patients (462 women and 462 men) remained; age and education were well balanced (SMD < 0.05), whereas cardiometabolic covariates remained imbalanced by design. Differences in lipid levels were no longer apparent, and among patients receiving high-intensity statins women more frequently achieved the 2016 LDL-C target (26.0% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.017), whereas the corresponding difference for the 2019 target did not reach statistical significance (10.7% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.072). Media influence was the most common physician-reported reason for LLT cessation; side effects and physician-advised discontinuation were reported more often for women, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Age and education accounted for a substantial part of the observed differences between women and men in ASCVD care, whereas lower statin prescription in women persisted after matching. Studies addressing sex differences should incorporate gender-related demographic factors into their design and analysis.

Background The relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is well-established. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) has been validated as a superior predictor of ASCVD, especially in individuals with mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia. The EPHESUS study evaluated real-life hypercholesterolemia management and awareness of non-HDL-C in cardiology outpatient practices. Methods Data from 1868 patients with ASCVD or high-risk primary prevention were analyzed to assess cholesterol goal attainment, statin adherence, and physician perceptions. This analysis focused on awareness of non-HDL-C as an ASCVD predictor, adherence to lipid-lowering therapy, and clinicians’ perceptions. Associations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and statin adherence were examined. Results Among patients, 20.2% achieved non-HDL-C and 16.5% achieved LDL-C goals. In primary prevention, 18.1% reached non-HDL-C and 10.6% reached LDL-C goals, while in secondary prevention, 20.8% and 18.0% met these goals. High-intensity statin therapy was observed in 21.2% of patients, with 30.3% and 24.3% achieving non-HDL-C and LDL-C targets, respectively. Statin use was lower in women than men (54.0% vs 66.9%, P < 0.001). Women less frequently achieved non-HDL-C and LDL-C goals in both prevention groups. Conclusions Non-HDL-C goal attainment remains suboptimal in both primary and secondary prevention of hypercholesterolemia, particularly in women who had lower statin use and goal achievement. These findings highlight the need for improved awareness, education, and treatment strategies to reduce residual cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes.

Objective: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening, rare disorder that occurs during the late stages of pregnancy or the early postpartum period. The ARTEMIS (A RegisTry of pEripartuM cardIomyopathy in Turkish patientS) aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PPCM in Turkiye, providing insights into its management within this specific population. Methods: The ARTEMIS registry retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with PPCM within the last five years at 44 cardiology centers across Turkiye. Eligible participants were women over 18 years old, diagnosed with PPCM and without other known cardiac pathology. Data collected included demographic information, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment regimens, and outcomes. Results: The study included 293 patients, predominantly between 25 and 35 years old. The majority presented with symptoms such as dyspnea and palpitations, diagnosed postpartum via echocardiography. A low use of advanced diagnostic imaging was noted, relying primarily on echocardiography for evaluation. Common treatments included beta blockers (97.8%), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (71.3%), and in severe cases, bromocriptine (6.9%). The study highlighted a mortality rate of 5.1%, with surviving patients often requiring continued management for heart failure. Diagnostic challenges and variations in treatment responses were noted, reflecting the complexity of PPCM diagnosis and care. Conclusion: The ARTEMIS registry provides valuable insights into the management of PPCM in Turkiye, highlighting the need for targeted educational programs for healthcare providers and patients. It also underscores the importance of national registries in understanding and improving outcomes for rare diseases like PPCM.

BACKGROUND:The recent 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society practice guidelines introduced a new risk categorization for patients with diabetes. We aimed to compare the implications of the 2016 and 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines with regard to the lipid-lowering treatment use, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment rates, and the estimated proportion of patients who would be at goal in an ideal setting.METHODS:Patients with diabetes were classified into 4 risk categories according to 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society dyslipidemia guidelines from the database of EPHESUS (cross-sectional, observational, countrywide registry of cardiology outpatient clinics) study. The use of lipid-lowering treatment and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment rates were then compared according to previous and new guidelines.RESULTS:This analysis included a total of 873 diabetic adults. Half of the study population (53.8%) were on lipid-lowering treatment and almost one-fifth (19.1%) were on high-intensity statins. While low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal was achieved in 19.5% and 7.5% of patients, 87.4% and 69.6% would be on target if their lipid-lowering treatment was intensified according to 2016 and 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society lipid guidelines, respectively. The new target <55 mg/dL could only be achieved in 2.2% and 8.1% of very high-risk primary prevention and secondary prevention patients, respectively.CONCLUSION:The control of dyslipidemia was extremely poor among patients with diabetes. The use of lipid-lowering treatment was not at the desired level, and high-intensity lipid-lowering treatment use was even lower. Our simulation model showed that the high-dose statin plus ezetimibe therapy would improve goal attainment; however, it would not be possible to get goals with this treatment in more than one-third of the patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disease, leading to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Achieving LDL-C goals is extremely important for preventing the complications of this fatal disease. We evaluated the management of FH patients with ASCVD in cardiology practice. METHODS: We analyzed patients with ASCVD from the nationwide EPHESUS registry, which was conducted in 40 cardiology outpatient clinics, and compared those with and without FH. RESULTS: Of the 1482 consecutively enrolled patients with ASCVD, 618 (41.7%) had FH, among which 455 were categorized as 'Possible FH' and 163 as 'Probable or Definite FH'. Proposed LDL-C goals were not attained in more than 90% of the patients with FH. The proportion of those on statin therapy was 77% for possible and 91% for probable or definite FH, whereas 34.2 % and 59.4% were in use of high-intensity statins, respectively. None of the patients were on PCSK-9 inhibitors, and only 2 used ezetimibe. Adverse media coverage was the most common cause of statin discontinuation (32.5% in 'possible FH' and 45.7% in 'probable/definite FH'). The negative impact of media in the decision to stop lipid lowering therapy (LLT) was increasing with education level. CONCLUSIONS: In real life most of the FH patients with ASCVD are undertreated in cardiology practice regarding statin dosing and combined LLT. Drug discontinuation rates are notably high and are mostly media-related, and side effects very rarely cause cessation of LLT. Urgent measures are needed to increase the awareness of FH among healthcare providers and patients and to develop improved treatment strategies aimed at preventing the complications of FH. (c) 2023 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a complex and heterogeneous clinical syndrome, poses significant diagnostic challenges. The HFA-PEFF [Heart Failure Association of ESC diagnostic algorithm, P (Pretest Assessment), E (Echocardiographic and Natriuretic Peptide score), F1 (Functional testing in Case of Uncertainty), F2 (Final Aetiology)] and H2FPEF [Heavy (BMI>30 kg/m2), Hypertensive (use of ≥2 antihypertensive medications), atrial Fibrillation (paroxysmal or persistent), Pulmonary hypertension (Doppler Echocardiographic estimated Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure >35 mm Hg), Elderly (age >60 years), Filling pressure (Doppler Echocardiographic E/e' >9)] scoring systems were developed to aid in diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This study aimed to assess the concordance and clinical accuracy of these scoring systems in the 'A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fractiON' cohort. Methods: A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fractiON study was conducted as a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study; to evaluate a group of Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients who were seen by cardiologists in 13 participating centers across 12 cities in Türkiye. Results: The study enrolled 819 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, with high probability heart failure with preserved ejection fraction rates of 40% and 26% for HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scorings, respectively. The concordance between the 2 scoring systems was found to be low (Kendall's taub correlation coefficient of 0.242, P < .001). The diagnostic performance of both scoring systems was evaluated, revealing differences in their approach and ability to accurately identify heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients. Conclusion: The low concordance between the HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scoring systems underscores the ongoing challenge of accurately diagnosing and managing patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Clinicians should be aware of the strengths and limitations of each scoring system and use them in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Future research should focus on identifying additional diagnostic factors, developing more accurate and comprehensive diagnostic algorithms, and investigating alternative methods of diagnosis or stratification of patients based on different clinical characteristics.

Background and Aims : Friedewald formula is the most common used equation to calculate LDL-C levels. However, its accuracy has been questioned recently. We aimed to investigate the consistency of Friedewald (F), Martin/Hopkins (M) and Samson (S) formulas for calculated LDL-C levels, and the effect on target goal attainment for different LDL-C targets.Methods: The lipid parameters of EPHESUS study (multicenter, observational study conducted on high and very high CVD risk patients) participants were used to calculate LDL-C values according to three (F,M,S) formulas. Correlation was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient among these formulas. The patients grouped according to triglyceride (TG) levels of <150 mg/dl, 150-250 mg/dl, and 250-400 mg/dl. Goal attainment rates at different LDL-C targets (<100 mg/dl, <70 mg/dl, and <55 mg/dl) were than compared.Conclusions: Although there was a good correlation among all formulas Friedewald formula tended to underestimate LDL-C values in patients with high triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the risk underestimation was highest for lower LDL-C levels. Hence it might be reasonable to use new formulas for LDL-C calculation in high and very high cardiovascular risk patients especially if their LDL-C values were close to targets. Background and Aims : Friedewald formula is the most common used equation to calculate LDL-C levels. However, its accuracy has been questioned recently. We aimed to investigate the consistency of Friedewald (F), Martin/Hopkins (M) and Samson (S) formulas for calculated LDL-C levels, and the effect on target goal attainment for different LDL-C targets. Methods: The lipid parameters of EPHESUS study (multicenter, observational study conducted on high and very high CVD risk patients) participants were used to calculate LDL-C values according to three (F,M,S) formulas. Correlation was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient among these formulas. The patients grouped according to triglyceride (TG) levels of <150 mg/dl, 150-250 mg/dl, and 250-400 mg/dl. Goal attainment rates at different LDL-C targets (<100 mg/dl, <70 mg/dl, and <55 mg/dl) were than compared. Conclusions: Although there was a good correlation among all formulas Friedewald formula tended to underestimate LDL-C values in patients with high triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the risk underestimation was highest for lower LDL-C levels. Hence it might be reasonable to use new formulas for LDL-C calculation in high and very high cardiovascular risk patients especially if their LDL-C values were close to targets.

Resumo Fundamento A prevalência e o significado da microalbuminúria não foram bem estudados em pacientes com diferentes subtipos de insuficiência cardíaca. Objetivo A prevalência e o significado da microalbuminúria não foram bem estudados em pacientes com diferentes subtipos de insuficiência cardíaca. Portanto, nosso objetivo foi investigar a frequência e o valor prognóstico da microalbuminúria em pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiência cardíaca aguda (ICA) com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEp), fração de ejeção de faixa média (ICFEfm) e fração de ejeção reduzida (ICFEr). Métodos Todos os pacientes adultos consecutivos encaminhados ao hospital devido a ICA entre junho de 2016 e junho de 2019 foram inscritos. A microalbuminúria é definida como o nível de albumina urinária para relação de creatinina (AURC) na faixa de 30–300 mg/g. A mortalidade hospitalar foi o critério de valoração deste estudo. Resultados Dos 426 pacientes com ICA (idade média de 70,64 ± 10,03 anos, 53,3% do sexo feminino), 50% tinham ICFEr, 38,3% tinham ICFEp e 11,7% tinham ICFEfm na apresentação. A prevalência de microalbuminúria foi de 35,2%, 28,8% e 28,0% em ICFEr, ICFEp e ICFEfm, respectivamente. Um total de 19 (4,5%) pacientes morreram durante o curso intra-hospitalar, e a mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi maior em pacientes com ICFEr (6,6%) em comparação com pacientes com ICFEr (2,5%) e ICFEfm (2,0%). A análise multivariada mostrou que a presença de microalbuminúria previu mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com ICFEr e ICFEfm, mas não em ICFEp. Conclusão Embora a microalbuminúria fosse comum em todos os subgrupos de pacientes com ICA, descobriu-se que ela prediz o prognóstico apenas em pacientes com ICFEr e ICFEfm.

BACKGROUND:The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial has been the largest study ever conducted among patients in Turkey regarding aspirin treatment. In the subgroup analysis of the hypertensive group of the Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial, we aimed to evaluate the physicians' adherence to current guidelines regarding their aspirin treatment preferences.METHODS:The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial is a cross-sectional and multicenter study conducted among 5007 consecutive patients aged ≥18 years. The study population consisted of outpatients on aspirin treatment (80-300 mg). The patient data were obtained from 30 different cardiology clinics of 14 cities from all over Turkey. In this subgroup analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: the hypertensive group (n=3467, 69.3%) and the group without hypertension (n=1540, 30.7%) according to the 2018 European Society of Cardiology/ European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension.RESULTS:Aspirin use for primary prevention was higher in patients with hypertension compared to patients without hypertension [328 (21.3%); 1046 (30.2%); P < .001]. Treatment with a dose of 150 mg aspirin (n=172, 5%) was mostly preferred by internists for hypertensive patients (n =226, 6.5%); however, a daily dose of 80-100 mg aspirin therapy (n=1457, 94.6%) was mostly prescribed by cardiologists (n=1347, 87.5%) for patients without hypertension.CONCLUSION:Aspirin was found to be used commonly among patients with hypertension for primary prevention despite the current European Society of Cardiology Arterial Hypertension Guideline not recommending aspirin for primary prevention in patients with hypertension.

Background: The prevalence and significance of microalbuminuria have not been well studied in patients with different heart failure subtypes. Objective: The prevalence and significance of microalbuminuria have not been well studied in patients with different heart failure subtypes. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the frequency and prognostic value of microalbuminuria in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: All consecutive adult patients referred to the hospital due to AHF between June 2016 and June 2019 were enrolled. Microalbuminuria is defined as urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) level in the range of 30-300 mg/g. Hospital mortality was the endpoint of this study Results: Of the 426 AHF patients (mean age 70.64 +/- 10.03 years, 53.3 % female), 50% had HFrEF, 38.3% had HFpEF, and 11.7% had HFmrEF at presentation.The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 35.2%, 28.8%, and 28.0% in HFrEF, HFpEF, and HFmrEF, respectively. A total of 19 (4.5%) patients died during the in-hospital course, and in-hospital mortality was higher in HFrEF patients (6.6%) compared to patients with HFpEF (2.5%) and HFmrEF (2.0%). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of microalbuminuria predicted in-hospital mortality in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF but not in HFpEF. Conclusion: Although microalbuminuria was common in all subgroups of AHF patients, it has been found to predict prognosis only in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF.

Objective: The association between the nutritional status and outcomes in pulmonary embolism is unclear. This study was aimed at examining the value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in assessing malnutrition among acute pulmonary embolism patients. Subject and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of adult patients with acute pulmonary embolism hospitalized through our ED. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data on admission were recorded. Nutritional status was assessed with the CONUT score, which is calculated by the albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. The primary endpoint of the study was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 308 consecutive patients (mean age 68.2 ± 12.9 years, 53.9% female) were included, and 35 of the patients (11.4%) died during their in-hospital course. Multivariate analysis showed that a pulmonary embolism severity index >148 (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.65–8.81, p < 0.001), the presence of heart failure (1.25, 95% CI: 1.08–1.78, p = 0.03), and a CONUT score >4 (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.146–3.424, p = 0.015) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the presence of malnutrition defined by the CONUT score predicts in-hospital mortality following acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: Indications and appropriateness of aspirin use have not been well investigated in Turkey. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the prescription patterns and appropriateness of aspirin in a real-world clinical setting. Methods: The ASSOS study is a cross-sectional, multicenter registry involving consecutive cardiology patients who were using aspirin. Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of aspirin; primary prevention and secondary prevention group. The indication of aspirin use was evaluated according to 2016 the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and 2016 the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPTF) guidelines in the primary prevention group. Results: A total of 5007 patients (mean age 62.15± 11.05, 39% female) were enrolled. The primary prevention group included 1132 (22.6%) patients and the secondary prevention group included 3875 (77.4%) patients. Of the 1132 patients, inappropriate use of aspirin was determined in 100% of the patients according to the ESC guidelines, and 71 % of the patients according to the USPTF guidelines. Conclusion: Although there are considerable differences between the USPTF and the ESC guidelines with respect to recommendations for aspirin use in primary prevention, inappropriate use of aspirin in Turkey is frequent in real-world practice for both guidelines.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the current status of aspirin use and the demographic characteristics of patients on aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study (ASSOS) trial was a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study conducted in Turkey. The study was planned to include 5000 patients from 14 cities in Turkey. The data were collected at one visit, and the current clinical practice regarding aspirin use was evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03387384). Results: The study enrolled all consecutive patients who were admitted to the outpatient cardiology clinics from March 2018 until June 2018. Patients should be at least 18 years old, have signed written informed consent, and on aspirin (80-325 mg) therapy within the last 30 days. Cardiologists from the hospital participates in the study. Patients were divided into 2 categories according to presence or absence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, namely secondary prevention group and primary prevention group, respectively. The appropriate use of aspirin in the primary and secondary prevention groups was assessed according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and US Preventive Services Task Force. The patients' gastrointestinal bleeding risk factors and colorectal cancer risk were evaluated. Conclusion: The ASSOS registry will be the most comprehensive and largest study in Turkey evaluating the appropriateness of aspirin use. The results of this study help understand the potential misuse of aspirin in a real-world setting.

Background and importance: The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) has been reported to have a prognostic value in various patient populations. However, the prognostic significance of mGPS has not been studied inacute pulmonary embolism (APE). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of mGPS on in-hospital mortality in patients with hemodynamically stableAPE. Methods: We retrospectively included 258 hemodynamically stableAPE patients. Clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory data recorded on admission. The mGPS scored as 0, 1, or 2 based on the C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels. Results: A total of 258hemodynamically stableAPE patients were included, and 28 (10.9%) died during the hospital stay. Compared with survivors, non-survivors were older, had higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, CRP, creatinine, high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and mGPS levels, and had higher pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) at study entry. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, NT-proBNP > 2350 pg/mL (OR: 2.180, 95% CI 1.102-5.213, p < 0.001), hs-cTnT > 21 pg/mL (OR: 1.426, 95% CI 1.151-3.751, p = 0.001), CRP > 3.1 mg/dL (OR: 1.567, 95% CI 1.072-4.429, p = 0.001), PESI > 139 (OR: 2.745, 95% CI 1.869-6.369, p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (OR: 3.465, 95% CI 1.867-8.934, p < 0.001), mGPS = 1 (OR: 2.120, 95% CI 1.089-3.754, p = 0.011), and mGPS = 2 (OR: 3.350, 95% CI 1.457-5.367, p < 0.001) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the mGPS, which is a new and easily measurable marker, is a useful predictor in-hospital mortality in hemodynamically stableAPE. (c) 2021 Elsevier Espan tilde a, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The possibilities of selective screening to reduce the costs of screening programmes for breast cancer were considered. Discriminant function analysis was used in an effort to describe a high-risk group of breast cancer, which will be subjected to screening. The high-risk group consisted of females with a combination of reproductive and hormone use characteristics. One-fifth of the breast cancer cases remained in the low-risk group, when the high-risk group was small enough (two-thirds of the population) to yield a meaningful reduction in costs. Selective screening for breast cancer seems to have only limited applicability and is not effective enough for application in public health work.

Background: Although increased aortic stiffness has been observed in chronic inflammatory skin diseases, it has not been examined in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Objectives: This study aimed to compare aortic stiffness among HS patients and non-HS controls and to investigate the relation between aortic stiffness and disease severity in HS. Methods: Thirty-eight HS patients, and 76 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Patients who had diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, or other inflammatory conditions were excluded. Aortic stiffness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Disease severity and activity were assessed using Hurley stage, and physician global assessment (PGA) score, respectively. Severe disease was defined as Hurley stage III, or PGA scores ≥3. Results: The patients with HS had increased aortic stiffness determined by decreased strain and distensibility compared to control group patients. A significant negative correlation was found between aortic stiffness indices and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, duration of the disease, Hurley stage, and PGA score. Multivariate analysis revealed the aortic strain and aortic distensibility were predictors of severe disease for Hurley stage III. Conclusion: Aortic stiffness is increased and associated with the severity of the disease in patients with HS.

Although the relation of preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) with perioperative adverse events has been investigated in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and various solid organ cancer surgeries, it has never been investigated in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery as a distinct group. A retrospective analysis of 811 consecutive patients, older than 18 years old and undergoing an elective, noncardiac, and nonvascular surgery between November 2015 and February 2019 was performed. Patients’ information, including demographic data, routine preoperative laboratory tests, and PNI were collected to assess the association between these factors and the perioperative complications. PNI was calculated from the following formula: 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm3). The outcomes of interest were perioperative complications during hospitalization. The perioperative adverse event rate was 9.0% (73 patients). Older patients and those with more comorbid conditions such as atrial fibrillation, history of malignancy, and diabetes mellitus tended to have a higher rate of perioperative complications. Patients with complicated hospital course had lower albumin (3.1 ± 0.41 vs. 3.7 ± 0.62 g/dL; p < 0.001) and PNI levels (45.1 ± 4.4 vs. 51.8 ± 5.8; p < 0.001) at admission compared to patients without complications. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.14–4.45; p < 0.01), PNI < 47.5 (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.19–5.46; p = 0.005), and history of malignancy (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.14–5.33; p < 0.01) were significant and independent predictors of perioperative complications. This study demonstrated that the lower preoperative PNI is associated with increased rate of perioperative complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Case ReportVentricular tachycardia (VT) episodes may be fatal in patients with low ejection fraction.Current guidelines recommend implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation after optimal medical treatment for these patients.Catheter ablation therapies should be considered in recurrent VT episodes.However, treatment options are limited in patients who cannot undergo catheter ablation.Hereby, we present a patient who had low ejection fraction, aortic and mitral valve replacement history with recurrent episodes of VT, and was not able to be planned invasive catheter ablation.

Objective: There have been no studies examining the effect of microalbuminuria on outcomes of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). This study aimed to assess the association between microalbuminuria and in-hospital mortality in patients with APE. Methods: This retrospective study included all adult patients hospitalized due to APE between June 2015 and May 2018. Blood and urine samples were collected before the diagnostic procedures on admission. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) levels: normoalbuminu-ria (< 30 mg/g), microalbuminuria (30-299 mg/g), and macroalbuminuria (> 300 mg/g). The primary endpoint of the study was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 154 consecutive patients (mean age 69.8 +/- 13.4 years, 51.9% female) were included, and 21 (13.6%) of the patients died during their in-hospital course. The prevalence of normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria was 70.1%, 23.4%, and 6.5%, respectively. Patients with in-hospital mortality had significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but higher UACR at admission than those patients who survived. As compared with patients with normoalbuminuria, multivariate analyses showed that the patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria had 2.38-, and 3.48-fold higher risk for in hospital mortality, respectively (p 0.001). Multivariate analyses also showed that UACR 102.6 mg/g (OR: 1.76; 95% CI, 0.99-3.16; p = 0.011) was independently associated with in-hospital mortality, while a low eGFR was not associated. Conclusion: Microalbuminuria at admission may allow rapid prediction of prognosis in patients with APE. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.