Objective: Aortic stiffness is an important cardiovascular risk marker, which can be determined using different noninvasive techniques. Aortic propagation velocity (APV) has recently been established as a novel echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the association between APV and the classical echocardiography-derived aortic stiffness parameters, aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic strain (AS), in a group of otherwise healthy individuals. Methods: In total, 97 consecutive healthy subjects were recruited in this observational study. APV was measured using color M-mode echocardiography from the suprasternal window in the descending aorta. AS and AD were calculated using clinical blood pressure and the M-mode echocardiography-derived aortic diameters. Correlation analyses were performed between cardiovascular risk factors related to increased aortic stiffness (age, obesity, and blood pressure) and measured stiffness parameters (APV, AS, and AD). Correlation analyses were also performed among the measured stiffness parameters. Results: Good correlation of age, blood pressure, and BMI with AS and AD was observed. One-on-one correlation of age, blood pressure, and BMI with APV was not observed. No correlation was observed between APV and AS (r=-0.05, p=0.6) or between APV and AD (r=-0.17, p=0.8). Conclusion: Although APV has been proposed as a novel and practical echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness, especially in patients with coronary artery disease, correlations between classical stiffness parameters (AS and AD) and APV were absent in healthy individuals at low-intermediate risk. The clinical and research applicability of APV should be further evaluated.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Oxidative stress and inflammation may cause structural and electrical remodeling in the atria making these critical processes in the pathology of AF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. This prospective cohort study consisted of 346 patients with STEMI. Serum TAC and TOS were assessed by Erel's method. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without AF. Predictors of AF were determined by multivariate regression analysis. In the present study, 9.5% of patients developed AF. In the patients with AF, plasma TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were significantly higher and plasma TAC levels were significantly lower compared to those without AF (p=.003, p=.002, p<.0001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis results showed that, female gender (Odds ratio[OR]=3.07; 95% Confidence Interval[CI]=1.26-7.47; p=.01), left atrial diameter (OR =1.28; 95% CI =1.12-1.47; p<.0001), hs-CRP (OR =1.02; 95% CI =1.00-1.03; p=.001) and OSI (OR =1.10; 95% CI =1.04-1.18; p=.001) were associated with the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. The main finding of this study is that oxidative stress and inflammation parameters were associated with the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. Other independent predictors of AF were female gender, left atrial diameter and hs-CRP.

Important problems have been seen during harvesting of different fruit trees in Turkey. The highest cost in fruit growing constitutes harvesting process as 43.99% of total cost. In this research, a body shaker which was mounted to tractor three-point linkage system and driven by power take off system was designed and manufactured to decrease the cost of harvesting of tree fruits. A tractor with 70 BG power is enough to transport and operate this body shaker. This prototype was functioned with a system including a hydraulic pump taking movement from power take-off and hydraulic motor. Body shaker could be controlled by only one person. Harvesting tests using different frequencies and amplitudes were carried out with body shaker. Two pistachio tree cultivars namely Siirt and Kirmizi were used during the harvesting tests. Pistachio fruits which remained on the branch and leaved from branch were weighed separately to determine of harvesting efficiency. For this aim, performance of body shaker was determined. As a result, the best performance result was determined using 40 Hz frequency and 20 mm amplitude. The harvesting efficiency values in harvesting tests carried out using 40 Hz frequency and 20 mm were calculated 93.27% for pistachio cultivar of Siirt and 87. 06% for pistachio cultivar of Kirmizi.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) causes structural changes in the optic nerve head in glaucoma patients. IOP reduction is clearly the only available treatment that has been proved to decrease both the risk of disease onset and its progression. Glaucoma surgery is indicated when maximal tolerated medical or laser therapy has failed to lower IOP. Anesthesia techniques for glaucoma surgery include general, retrobulbar, peribulbar, sub-Tenon’s, subconjunctival, and topical anesthesia. General anesthesia may be advantageous for glaucoma surgery by avoiding the risks of regional anesthesia besides the total immobility of the patient, possibility to control the intraocular pressure, and the facility to fixate the operated eye. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the systemic side-effects and drug interactions of topical or systemic glaucoma medications. In addition, the effects of the anesthetic manoeuvers and drugs on IOP must be taken into consideration.

BACKGROUND AND AIM:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the association between use of previous angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (renin-angiotensin system [RAS] blockers) and started RAS blockers after MI and development of AF in patients presenting with acute STEMI.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted to the coronary care unit. Patients were divided into groups according to the use of RAS blockers before MI and development of AF rates was compared. Predictors of AF were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:Of the 1000 patients presenting with STEMI, 247 received and 753 did not receive RAS blockers. The incidence of AF was 7.9%. The incidence of AF in patients receiving RAS blockers and did not receiving RAS blockers before MI were similar (5.7% vs. 8.6% respectively, P=0.13). On the other hand, AF rate was lower in patients in whom RAS blockers were administered during MI as compared to those in whom these agents were not administered (7.2% vs. 28.6%, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis results showed that administration of RAS blockers or statins during hospitalization and left atrial diameter were associated with development of AF in patients with acute STEMI.CONCLUSIONS:Previous therapy with RAS blockers does not reduce the incidence of AF in STEMI. Administration of RAS blockers at the hospital may decrease the AF rate in STEMI.

Introduction and Objective: There are conflicting data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery ectasia (CAE). It is unclear whether CAE is associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT). We therefore investigated major cardiovascular risk factors, serum GGT and hs-CRP levels in a large population of patients with CAE. Methods: A total of 167 patients with isolated CAE and 150 controls with normal coronary arteries were selected from 10 505 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Serum GGT and hs-CRP levels were evaluated in addition to cardiovascular risk factors including family history, obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Results: Hypertension and obesity were slightly more prevalent in CAE patients than in controls, whereas diabetes was slightly less frequent in CAE patients. Other risk factors were similar. Serum GGT (22 [17–42] vs. 16 [13–21] U/l, p=0.001) and hs-CRP (2.9 [1.9–3.6] vs. 1.4 [1.1–1.8] mg/l, p=0.001) levels were higher in CAE patients than in controls. The presence of CAE was independently associated with diabetes (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20–0.95, p=0.04), obesity (OR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.07–7.56, p=0.04), GGT (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.12, p=0.001) and hs-CRP levels (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1–4.6, p=0.001). In addition, GGT and hs-CRP levels were higher in diffuse and multivessel ectasia subgroups than focal and single-vessel ectasia subgroups (each p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings show that CAE can be independently and positively associated with obesity, GGT and hs-CRP levels, but inversely with diabetes. Moreover, its severity may be related to GGT and hs-CRP levels. Resumo: Introdução e objetivos: Existem dados contraditórios relativamente à prevalência dos fatores de risco cardiovascular na ectasia da artéria coronária (EAC). Não é claro se a EAC possa estar associada à proteína C reativa de alta-sensibilidade (PCR-as) e à gama glutamiltransferase (gama-GT). Assim examinámos fatores de risco cardiovascular major, a gama-GT sérica e os níveis de PCR-as numa população mais alargada de doentes com EAC. Métodos: Foram selecionados um total de 167 doentes com EAC isolada e 150 casos-controlo com artérias coronárias normais dos 10 505 doentes submetidos a angiografia coronária. A gama-GT sérica e os níveis de PCR-as foram avaliados para além dos fatores de risco cardiovascular incluindo a história familiar, obesidade, tabagismo, diabetes, hipertensão e hiperlipidemia. Resultados: A hipertensão e a obesidade foram ligeiramente mais prevalentes nos doentes com EAC do que nos casos-controlo enquanto a diabetes foi menos frequente nos doentes com EAC. Os outros fatores de risco foram semelhantes. Os níveis de gama-GT sérica [22 (17-42) versus 16 (13-21) U/L, p =0,001] e de PCR-as [2,9 (1,9-3,6) versus 1,4 (1,1-1,8) mg/L, p =0,001] foram superiores nos doentes com EAC do que nos casos-controlo. A presença de EAC foi independentemente associada à diabetes (OR: 0,44, IC 95%: 0,20-0,95, p =0,04), obesidade (OR: 2,84, IC 95%: 1,07-7,56, p =0,04), gama-GT (OR:1,08, IC 95%: 1,03-1,12, p =0,001) e níveis de PCR-as (OR:3,1, IC 95%: 2,1-4,6, p =0,001). Além disso, os níveis de GGT e de PCR-as foram superiores nos subgrupos de ectasia difusa e mutivasos do que nos subgrupos de ectasia focal e de um vaso (cada p < 0,05). Conclusão: As nossas conclusões mostram que a EAC pode ser certamente associada à obesidade, aos níveis de gama-GT e de PCR-as, mas de modo inverso à diabetes. Além disso a sua gravidade pode estar associada aos níveis de gama-GT e de PCR-as. Keywords: Coronary ectasia, Risk factors, Inflammation, Gamma glutamyltransferase, Palavras-chave: Ectasia coronária, Fatores de risco, Inflamação, Glutamiltransferase

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nebivolol, carvedilol or metoprolol succinate on the outcome of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular dysfunction. Subjects and Methods: Patients (n = 172, aged 28-87 years) with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45 were randomized to the nebivolol (n = 55), carvedilol (n = 60) and metoprolol succinate (n = 57) groups. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and composite event rates of nonfatal MI, cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization due to unstable angina pectoris or heart failure, stroke or revascularization during the 12-month follow-up were compared among the groups using the χ2 test, t test or log-rank test as appropriate. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the three groups. The composite end point during follow-up was lower in the patients treated with nebivolol than those treated with metoprolol (14.5 vs. 31.5%; p = 0.03). However, event rates were similar between the patients treated with carvedilol and those treated with the metoprolol (20.3 vs. 31.5%, p > 0.05) and between the patients treated with nebivolol and carvedilol (14.5 vs. 20.3%, p > 0.05). Conclusion: The patients treated with nebivolol experienced 12-month cardiovascular events at a lower rate than those treated with metoprolol succinate. However, event rates were similar between the carvedilol and the metoprolol succinate groups and between the nebivolol and the carvedilol groups.

OBJECTIVE:Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) during the night is associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. There is strong evidence that fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antihypertensive agents are associated with significant improvement and non-significant adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether FDC affected nocturnal BP favorably in patients with uncontrolled, non-dipper hypertension (HT).METHODS:All non-dipper hypertensives were either newly diagnosed with stage 2-3 HT or had HT uncontrolled with monotherapy. Patients (n=195) were consecutively assigned to 4 treatment groups: FDC of valsartan/amlodipine (160/5 mg), free-drug combination of valsartan 160 mg and amlodipine 5 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, and valsartan 320 mg. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was repeated at 4th and 8th week.RESULTS:Average 24-h (24-hour) and nocturnal BP were similar among the groups at baseline evaluation, and had significantly decreased by the fourth week of treatment. However, BP continued to decrease only slightly between the 4th and 8th weeks in the valsartan and amlodipine monotherapy groups, but continued to decrease significantly in both combination groups. After 4 weeks, day-night BP difference and day-night BP % change were significantly elevated in the combination and valsartan groups. Between the 4th and 8th weeks, however, day-night BP difference and day-night BP % change continued to rise only in the FDC group, nearly reducing to baseline levels in the free-drug combination and valsartan groups. An additional 2.2 mmHg decrease was observed in the FDC group, compared to the free-drug combination group.CONCLUSION:In non-dipper HT, FDC of valsartan and amlodipine improved diurnal-nocturnal ratio of BP and provided 24-h coverage.

Amac: Kan gruplari, kanda bulunan kirmizi kan hucrelerinin (eritrositlerin) uzerinde bulunan antijen cesitlerine gore yapilan bir siniflama sistemidir. Ulkemizde ve dunyada yaygin olarak kullanilmakta olan kan grubu sistemleri, AB0 ve Rh sistemleridir. Calismamizda Cumhuriyet Universitesi Saglik Hizmetleri Uygulama ve Arastirma Hastanesi Kan merkezi/transfuzyon merkezinde calisilan kan grubu testlerinin sonuclarindan faydalanilarak bolgemizdeki AB0 ve Rh kan gruplarinin dagilimini belirlemeyi amacladik. Yontem: Calismamizda Ocak 2009 ile Aralik 2013 tarihleri arasindaki bes yillik donemde merkezimize basvuran 99207 kisinin kan gruplari Kan merkezi/transfuzyon merkezi verilerinden geriye donuk olarak incelenmistir. Kan grubu tayini EDTA’li kan orneklerinde tup aglutunasyon yontemi, mikrokolon yontemi ve mikroplak otomatik kan grubu cihaziyla yapilmis ve Rh faktoru negatif olanlara zayif D calisilmistir. Calisma suresi icerisinde merkezimizde kan gruplari tespit edilen kisiler bir defa degerlendirilmis olup, ayni bireylere ait tekrarlanan ornekler calisma disi tutulmustur. Bulgular: Arastirilan sure icinde bolgemizde elde ettigimiz sonuclara gore kan gruplarinin; %43,8’inin A, %31,8’inin 0, %16,4’unun B ve %8,0’inin AB oldugu belirlenmistir. Ayrica kisilerin %87’sinin Rh pozitif, %13’unun ise Rh negatif oldugu tespit edilmistir. Calismamizdan elde edilen verilerde bolgemizde en sik bulunan kan grubunun A Rh pozitif (%37,9), en az bulunan kan grubunun ise AB Rh negatif (%1) oldugu tespit edilmistir. Sonuc: Kan insan icin hayati oneme sahip olan bir sividir. Kan gruplari bolgeler arasinda farkliliklar gosterebilmektedir. Yapilacak calismalar ile bolgesel verilerin ortaya konulmasi ve belirli zaman araliklari ile guncellenmesi gerekmektedir. Merkezimizde saptanan kan grubu dagilimi Turkiye ortalamalariyla paralellik gostermektedir. Ayrica kan merkezlerinin bulunduklari illerdeki kan grubu dagilimlarini gozden gecirerek kritik stok kan seviyeleri belirlemelerinin faydali olacagini dusunmekteyiz

Obturator hernia is a rarely-seen type of abdominopelvic hernia. It is generally seen in thinner, old, multipara patients. The most frequently seen clinical sign is intestinal obstruction associated with strangulation. Diagnosis is generally made during operation in patients brought into emergency room because of intestinal obstruction. Delay in diagnosis in older patients results in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Herein, we present a 68-year-old multipara patient who consulted to the emergency service with clinical manifestations of intestinal obstruction, and who was operated with the preoperative diagnosis of "strangulated obturator hernia" established by means of computed-tomography.

Objective: It is unclear whether carvedilol and nebivolol produce different effects on short-term left ventricle (LV) systolic function in heart failure (HF). These drugs could improve systolic and diastolic functions of the LV. Thus, we aimed to compare their effects on LV systolic functions in patients with non-ischemic HF. Methods: This study included 61 symptomatic non-ischemic HF patients with low ejection fraction (EF) (EF≤40%) between September 2008 and November 2010. The patients were randomized to carvedilol (n=31, 16 males) or nebivolol (n=30, 19 male). They were evaluated clinically and echocardiographically at baseline and 3 and 6 months after target dose; 42% of patients in the carvedilol group and 47% in the nebivolol group achieved the target dose before randomization. LV systolic functions were evaluated with ventricle diameters, EF, ejection time (ET), isovolumic contraction time (IVCT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), and myocardial performance index (MPI). Results: At 6 months, carvedilol and nebivolol similarly improved EF (from 33±4% to 36±5%, p<0.01 and from 34±5% to 37±5%, p<0.01, inter-group p=0.30, respectively) and MPI (from 0.71±0.10 to 0.53±0.07, p<0.01 and from 0.69±0.13 to 0.52±0.08, p<0.01, intergroup p=0.45, respectively). LV diameter was reduced by a similar extent in both groups. In each group, IVCT and IVRT were significantly shortened and ET was prolonged, but there was no inter-group difference. Functional capacity improved similarly (from NYHA Class II-III to Class I-0) in both groups, as did heart rate and blood pressure. Reduction of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels was also comparable in both groups (p=0.41). Conclusion: Carvedilol and nebivolol can similarly improve LV systolic functions in non-ischemic HF patients.

BACKGROUND:Atrial fibrillation is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. HYPOTHESIS:Carvedilol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combination decreases inflammation, oxidative stress, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) rates more than metoprolol or carvedilol. METHODS:Preoperative and postoperative total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and white blood cells (WBC) were measured in metoprolol, carvedilol, or carvedilol plus NAC groups, and association with POAF was evaluated. RESULTS:Preoperative TAC, TOS, and WBC levels were similar among the groups. Postoperative TAC levels were lower in the metoprolol group compared with the carvedilol group (1.0 vs 1.4) or the carvedilol plus NAC group (1.0 vs 1.9) and were also lower in the carvedilol group compared with the carvedilol plus NAC group (all P < 0.0001). Postoperative TOS levels were higher in the metoprolol group as compared with the carvedilol (29.6 vs 24.2; P < 0.0001) or the carvedilol plus NAC groups (P < 0.0001), and were also higher in the carvedilol group as compared with the carvedilol plus NAC group (24.2 vs 19.3; P < 0.0001). Postoperative WBC counts were lower in the carvedilol plus NAC group compared with the metoprolol group (12.9 vs 14.8; P = 0.004), were similar between the carvedilol and the metoprolol groups (13 vs 14.8) and between the carvedilol plus NAC group and the carvedilol group (both P > 0.05). Postoperative TAC, TOS, and WBC were associated with POAF. CONCLUSIONS:Carvedilol plus NAC reduced oxidative stress and inflammation compared with metoprolol and decreased oxidative stress compared with carvedilol. Postoperative TAC, TOS, and WBC were associated with POAF.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is closely related to cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. The clinical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including age, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, are the same for MAC and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory marker, in patients with MAC. The study group consisted of 117 patients with MAC. Age and sex-matched control group was composed of 38 patients who were admitted to echocardiography laboratory due to suspicion of organic heart disease and eventually found to be free of MAC. We measured hematological indices in patients and control individuals. NLR ratio was significantly higher in patients with MAC than in control individuals (3.3 ± 1.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4, respectively; P < 0.001), and NLR ratio was positively correlated with MAC (P < 0.001, r = 0.58). Red cell distribution width was also significantly higher in patients with MAC than in control individuals (16.2 ± 3.3 vs. 13.4 ± 0.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). We have shown that NLR was significantly elevated in patients with MAC and it was correlated with MAC.

OBJECTIVE:Diabetics are at risk for developing overt heart failure and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Also, impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in diabetics. However, no substantial data regarding the effects of good glycaemic control on subclinical LV dysfunction and CFR are available.CONTEXT:To investigate whether good glycaemic control had favourable effects on subclinical LV dysfunction and CFR.DESIGN:Prospective, open-label, follow-up study.PATIENTS:Diabetics (n = 202) were classified based on baseline HbA1C levels: patients with good (group 1) (<7·0%) and poor glycaemic control (≥7·0%).MEASUREMENTS:All patients underwent echocardiographic examination at baseline evaluation, and it was repeated at months 6 and 12. Based on HbA1C levels obtained at month 6, the patients with poor glycaemic control were divided into two groups: achieved (group 2) and not achieved good glycaemic control (group 3).RESULTS:The groups were comparable with respect to diastolic function parameters including left atrium diameter, mitral E/A, Sm , Em /Am , E/E' and Tei index, and these parameters did not significantly change at follow-up in the groups. At baseline, CFR was slightly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and group 3, but it did not reach statistically significant level. At follow-up, CFR remained unchanged in group 1 (P = 0·58) and group 3 (P = 0·86), but increased in group 2 (P = 0·02: month 6 vs baseline and P = 0·004: month 12 vs baseline).CONCLUSIONS:Diabetics with poor and good glycaemic control were comparable with respect to echocardiographic parameters reflecting subclinical LV dysfunction, and good glycaemic control did not affect these parameters. However, good glycaemic control improved CFR.

It is unclear whether carvedilol and nebivolol will produce different effects on platelet function and prothrombotic state in heart failure (HF). Thus, we compared their effects on these functions in patients with nonischemic HF. We included 61 patients with symptomatic nonischemic HF having ejection fraction ≤40%. The patients were randomized to carvedilol (n = 31) or nebivolol (n = 30). Analyses were made at baseline, 3, and 6 months. At 6 months, mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly lowered by both carvedilol and nebivolol therapy. However, MPV tended to be lower in the carvedilol group (7.7 ± 1.0 vs 8.0 ± 0.7 fL, P = .05). Fibrinogen and d-dimer levels were significantly decreased in but comparable in both the groups. Carvedilol and nebivolol have similar beneficial effects on platelet function and prothrombotic state in patients with nonischemic HF.

BACKGROUND:The underlying mechanisms of increased risk of thrombo-embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) are not completely understood; however, substantial evidence supports that AF is associated with a prothrombotic state. Accordingly, we hypothesized that strict rate control could attenuate platelet activity and thrombotic state in patients with non-valvular AF.METHODS:Seventy-five patients with non-valvular AF were divided into 2 groups based on heart rate: (1) normal ventricular rate (n = 34, 18 female) and (2) high ventricular rate (n = 39). Thirty-three sex- and age-matched subjects in sinus rhythm were included as control. Thirty patients with high ventricular rate (16 female) were successfully followed. Markers of platelet function were measured at baseline and repeated 1-month after adequate rate control in high ventricular rate group.RESULTS:Serum fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in AF patients with high ventricular rate than that in controls. Mean platelet volume, soluble CD40L and β-Thromboglobulin were significantly higher in AF patients with high ventricular rate than those in both AF patients with normal ventricular rate and controls. Soluble CD40L and β-Thromboglobulin were significantly higher in AF patients with normal ventricular rate than those in controls. One-month after adequate rate control, serum fibrinogen, soluble CD40L and β-Thromboglobulin levels significantly decreased (from 2.26 ± 1.02, 85.01 ± 37.05, 3.10 ± 0.90 to 1.55 ± 1.08, 66.34 ± 33.72, 2.71 ± 0.53; p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.03, respectively) in high ventricular rate group.CONCLUSIONS:AF patients with high ventricular rate had increased indices of platelet activity and thrombotic state. Furthermore, strict rate control significantly decreased indices of thrombotic state and platelet activity in those patients.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between inflammation and development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hyperthyroidism. Methods A total of 65 patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism, 35 of whom were in sinus rhythm and 30 of whom in AF. Thirty five age-and gender-matched patients in a control group were included in the study. Factors associated with the development of AF were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. Results Factors associated with AF in multivariate analysis included high sensitivity C reactive protein (HsCRP) [odds ratio (OR): 11.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.80-69.53; P = 0.003], free T4 (OR: 8.76; 95% CI: 2.09-36.7; P = 0.003), and left atrial diameter (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.06-1.47; P = 0.008). Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that HsCRP, an indicator of inflammation, free T4 and left atrial diameter are associated with the development AF in patients with hyperthyroidism. J Geriatr Cardiol 2012; 9: 344-348. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2012.06251