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Biomedical subjects

Mehdi Zoghi

Publications and source records attributed to Mehdi Zoghi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hydatid cyst involving the aortic arch.

We report a very rare case of primary mediastinal hydatid cyst which invaded the ascending aorta and the aortic arch which initially presented as a cranial mass. Aortic wall is a very unusual site for the hydatid cysts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hydatid cyst located within the aortic arch lumen. Patient underwent ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement under hypothermic circulatory arrest and removal of the cyst. Patient had an uneventful recovery and has been on follow-up. Although the literature data are very limited, we believe that the aortic procedure of choice should be graft interpositon rather than patch repair.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

The effect of hematopoietic progenitor cells' temperature on cardiac arrhythmias in patients given peripheral blood progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: Infusion of cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) is associated with a broad variety of symptoms. In this study, we have investigated infusion-related toxicity regarding temperature of cryopreserved autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) transplanted in 31 and allogeneic non-cryopreserved PBPCs in 4 patients receiving high dose chemotherapy and stem cells transplantation for hematological malignancies. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: A 24h ECG-Holter recording system was used to obtain cardiac arrhythmias. Two milliliters HPC were collected from entrance site of venous access to evaluate the temperature of infused HPC. RESULTS: We have detected arrhythmias in 17 (48.58%) of our patients before, during and after infusion. Median temperature of the infusat was 21 degrees C (18-28.2). Arrhythmias during infusion were detected in 8 (22.85%) patients. The temperatures of infused HPCs were not statistically different in group with and without arrhythmias as 22 degrees C and 21 degrees C, respectively (P>0.05). And also, volume, contents [dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), and total nucleated cell (TNC)] of product, and rate of infusion speed did not have any effect on arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, we have concluded that the temperature of HPC does not cause any systemic hypothermia and does not have any relation to arrhythmias detected during infusion.

Adult↗

Impaired endothelial function in patients with myocardial bridge.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between myocardial bridging (MB) and ischemic heart disease is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existing atherosclerosis and noninvasive endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with MB. METHODS: The present study included 50 patients (group I) who had MB in left anterior descending (LAD) on coronary angiography. All of the coronary artery segments were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Endothelial function was assessed with measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitrate-dependent dilatation in the brachial artery. The study also included 30 healthy control subjects (group II). Patients in the group I were further subdivided into two subgroups based on the findings on IVUS: group IA included 20 patients without atherosclerotic lesions and group IB included 30 patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in addition to MB. RESULTS: FMD values were found to be significantly lower in the patients with MB (group I) than in the control (6.4 +/- 3% vs 11 +/- 4%, P <0.001). In regard to FMD values in subgroups, FMD was 7 +/- 2% in the group IA and 5.8 +/- 1% in the group IB (P = 0.023). On IVUS, atherosclerotic plaque was found proximal to the bridge in the same coronary artery segment in addition to MB in 75% of the patients in group I (group IB). No atherosclerotic plaque was found in within or distal segments of MB. CONCLUSION: Endothelial function is impaired in patients with MB and there is an increased tendency for atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge in the patients with MB. Endothelial dysfunction is more severe in the patients with atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge.

Administration, Sublingual↗

Endothelial function in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or risk factors for atherosclerosis. Because the silent or documented atherosclerosis or vascular risk factors are very frequent, the possibility of endothelial dysfunction in ED patients is expected to be increased. Our aim was to evaluate the endothelial functions in patients with vasculogenic ED with vascular risk factors and compare them with age-matched non-ED patients or healthy controls. DESIGN: We studied 36 patients with presumed vasculogenic ED, 39 age-matched patients with similar risk factors without ED and 25 age-matched healthy controls without ED, known cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Erectile function was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) scores. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation (NMD) were measured. RESULTS: Baseline demographics were similar except the IIEF score and duration of diabetes in patients with ED. Brachial artery FMD and NMD were significantly reduced in patients with ED (3.2+/-3. vs. 6+/-4, p<0.0001 for FMD, 12.2+/-6 vs. 15.4+/-6 p=0.032 for NMD). In patients with similar risk factors but without ED, FMD was significantly lower but NMD were not different compared with healthy controls (6+/-4 vs. 10.2+/-3, p<0.0001 for FMD and 15.4+/-8 vs. 16.4+/-6, p=0.81). IIEF scores were weakly correlated with FMD (r=0.25, p=0.028) in patients with ED. There were significant correlations between FMD and NMD in patients with ED (r=0.46, p=0.05) and with risk factors (r=0.72, p<0.0001) but not in healthy controls (r=0.54, p=0.792). Vasculogenic ED patients have more markedly impaired endothelial and smooth muscle functions compared with patients with similar risk factors but no ED.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[The importance of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in cardiovascular diseases].

Natriuretic peptide type B (brain natriuretic peptide, BNP) is a neurohormone released by cardiac ventricles in response to volume and pressure load. Recent studies have demonstrated that BNP level measured in the plasma plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases especially in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. This article summarizes the physiology of the brain natriuretic peptide, diagnosis of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome and use of BNP in the treatment and determining the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Electrical stunning and hibernation: suggestion of new terms for short- and long-term cardiac memory.

Persistent T wave changes following resumption of sinus rhythm induced by pacing or arrhythmias that cause altering of ventricular activation sequence are named "cardiac memory". After this initial definition there has been a discussion whether such T wave changes are primary, secondary or pseudoprimary. In addition according to the results of pathophysiological studies investigating the mechanism and nature of this repolarization abnormality some authors have preferred to use the term "electrical remodelling" instead of cardiac memory. But these two terms are still not well defined. In this article, the previous terms are discussed and a new term instead of cardiac memory is introduced.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Bilateral diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease: a significant association.

BACKGROUND: The association between the presence of diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD) still remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between bilateral ELC and CAD. METHODS: 415 patients were examined for the presence or absence of bilateral ELC, angiographic evidence of CAD and coronary risk factors. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to angiographic evidence of CAD. RESULTS: Bilateral ELC was significantly and positively correlated with CAD, hypertension, age, male gender, cigarette smoking and family history of CAD. The ELC was an independent variable for CAD. The observed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the bilateral ELC for the diagnosis of CAD were in the following order: 51.3, 84.8, 89.4 and 41.2%. CONCLUSION: The presence of bilateral ELC was significantly associated with CAD and coronary risk factors. The bilateral ELC was an important dermatological indicator of CAD, and it might be a useful diagnostic tool in the clinical examination of patients.

Adult↗

[The relationship between serum C-reactive protein levels and coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina pectoris and positive exercise stress test].

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to investigate whether serum C- reactive protein (CRP) levels are related with the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and selection of management approaches in stable angina pectoris (SAP). METHODS: Overall 134 patients (pts) with SAP and positive exercise stress test were investigated. All pts were divided into two groups according to the baseline levels of CRP. In group 1 (mean age 57.8+/-10.3 years) there were 41 pts with the level of CRP >0.50mg/dl (high levels of CRP) and group 2 consisted of 93 pts (mean age 56.0+/-11.7 years) with the CRP levels <0.50mg/dl (normal levels of CRP). We investigated the relationship between CRP levels with coronary artery disease and treatment strategies. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, hypertension and hyperlipidemia between groups. In group 1 (n=41) 36 pts, and in group 2 (n=93) 58 pts had CAD (p= 0.004). We found statistically significant relationship between high levels of CRP and smoking and diabetes mellitus. After adjustment of these risk factors by multivariate regression analyses the CRP association with CAD become attenuated but was still statistically significant (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In this study we found that high level CRP is an independent strong marker of CAD in middle-aged patients with stable angina and positive treadmill exercise test. There was no correlation between CRP levels and interventional procedures.

Adult↗

The predictive value of mitral leaflet motion and thickness index scores on early restenosis after mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is any association between mitral leaflet motion (LMI) and leaflet thickness index (LTI) scores and the rate of restenosis 3 months after successful mitral balloon valvuloplasty. The study population consisted of 46 patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent balloon valvuloplasty (37 women, 9 men; mean age, 36 +/- 9 years). Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were performed in all patients on the day before, immediately after, and 3 months after valvuloplasty. The severity of restriction of leaflet motion and the severity of leaflet thickening were classified into grades of mild (a score of 0), moderate (a score of 1), and severe (a score of 2). Subvalvular disease and commissural involvement were homogeneous in all patients. Before and immediately after mitral balloon valvuloplasty, there were no significant differences in mitral valve area among the groups with different LMI and LTI scores. However, at 3 months after valvuloplasty, reduction in mitral valve area was more significant in patients who had higher pre-procedural LMI and LTI scores (P < 0.05). The rates of early restenosis were 0 with a total score of 0, 14.2% with a total score of 1-2, and 32% with a total score of 3. In conclusion, quantitative assessment of LMI and LTI scores by 2-dimensional echocardiography may be helpful in predicting early restenosis after mitral balloon valvuloplasty. Early reduction in mitral valve area is significant in patients who have higher total LMI and LTI scores.

Adolescent↗

The effect of combination therapy on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in cases with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Up to this date, it is well shown that several antihypertensive drugs have different regressive effect on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, there are different studies regarding the effect of antihypertensive combination therapies on regression of LVH. In this study, 2 different combinations ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker and ACE-I plus diuretic were compared in cases with hypertension whose BPs were not controlled by ACE-I alone. METHODS: Forty patients with mild to moderate hypertension were included in this study. The treatment was continued for 6 months in the Faculty of Medicine at Ege University, Turkey, between January and December 2003. Adequate response with lisinopril 20 mg/daily failed to be achieved in all patients. Patients divided into 2 groups. There were no differences between the groups in patients' age, blood pressure (BP) and other clinical and laboratory range. First group patients received lisinopril 20 mg + nifedipine GITS 30 mg and second group patients received lisinopril 20 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg. The treatment was continued for 6 months. Blood pressure were measured every 2 weeks, echocardiographic findings, and blood and urinary analysis were performed before and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly in both groups and no significant difference regarding BP was found between the 2 groups. Left ventricular mass index also decreased significantly in both groups. However, in the first group left ventricular mass index decreased more compared to the second group. CONCLUSION: The effect of combination therapies with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) plus diuretic and ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker on systolic and diastolic BP are similar. However, when LVH is present, regressive effect of the combination of ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker is superior to the combination of ACE-I plus diuretic.

Adult↗

The angiographic correlation between ST segment depression in noninfarcted leads and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction: a clue for multivessel disease.

BACKGROUND: Although reciprocal ST segment depression (RSTD) in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction is a common electrocardiogram finding, its significance is not yet established. In this prospective study, the relationship between RSTD and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-eight patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction who received thrombolytic therapy were enrolled in this study. The magnitude and location of ST segment depression in noninfarcted leads and the maximum ST segment elevation (STEmax) in inferior leads were measured. All patients were divided into two main groups according to the presence of RSTD and five subgroups according to the location of RSTD, the maximum RSTD and the STEmax. The coronary angiography was performed in all patients 28 +/- 4 days after acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the proportion of coronary disease risk factors in patients with, versus those without, RSTD (P=0.6). Multivessel CAD was present in 63 of the 108 (58%) patients with RSTD and in 32 of the 80 (40%) patients with no RSTD (P=0.02). According to the location of reciprocal changes, multivessel disease was present in significantly more patients with anterior RSTD concomitant with or without lateral ST segment depression (P=0.01 and P=0.03, respectively); the proportion of single vessel disease was greater in patients with only lateral RSTD (P=0.02). In addition, the presence of anterior RSTD to a greater magnitude than the STEmax in inferior myocardial infarction increases the likelihood of multivessel disease (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of RSTD during an acute inferior myocardial infarction correlates with the presence of multivessel CAD and may not be only an electrical phenomenon.

Analysis of Variance↗

QT dispersion in patients with different etiologies of left ventricular hypertrophy: the significance of QT dispersion in endurance athletes.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death and has a significant effect on total cardiovascular mortality. QT dispersion (QTd) is a measure of inhomogeneous repolarization and is used as an indicator of arrhythmogenicity. In this study we detected QTd in patients with different etiologies of left ventricular hypertrophy and the effect of LVH in QTd on endurance athletes. The study group consisted of 147 white male subjects with 3 different etiologies of LVH and 30 healthy male individuals. The underlying etiologies of LVH were essential hypertension, valvular aortic stenosis and long-term training (athletic heart). QTd was measured by surface electrocardiogram and Bazett's formula was used to correct QTd for heart rate (QTcd). Left ventricular mass was determined by transthoracic echocardiography and left ventricular mass index was calculated in relation to body surface area. The QTcd was significantly higher in patients with pathological LVH (due to hypertension and aortic stenosis) than in the athletes' group (physiological LVH) and healthy subjects (P<0.05). The magnitude of QTcd was similar between athletes and the control group (P=0.6). The difference of QTcd between the groups with pathological LVH was not statistically significant (P=0.1). In conclusion; the increasing of QT dispersion is associated with only pathological conditions of LVH. The left ventricular hypertrophy has not a negative effect in QT dispersion on endurance athletes. The measurement of QT dispersion may be a non-invasive useful method for screening additional pathological conditions in endurance athletes.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular involvement in Behçet's disease.

The incidence and nature of cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease are not yet clearly documented. We first used transesophageal echocardiography in combination with resting and signal averaged electrocardiography to define cardiac involvement in Behçet's patients. Transthoracic and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography, and resting and signal averaged electrocardiography were performed in 35 Behçet's disease patients (9 women and 26 men, mean age: 38 +/- 12 years) and 30 normal subjects. Higher incidences of interatrial septum aneurysm (31% to 6%), mitral valve prolapse (25% to 3%), mitral regurgitation (40% to 6%) and aneurysmal dilatations of sinus valsalva and ascendan aorta were observed in the Behçet's disease patients than in the normal subjects. Mean QT dispersion and mean corrected QT dispersion values were significantly greater in the patients with Behçet's disease. Patients with interatrial septum aneurysm (and/or PFO), valvular dysfunction or proximal aorta dilatation had greater QT dispersion values than thase without these pathologies in the Behçet's group (63 +/- 11 vs 44 +/- 19 ms, 58 +/- 23 vs 41 +/- 24 and 60 +/- 27 vs 42 +/- 23 ms respectively, P<0.05). Positive signal averaged electrocardiography parameters were detected in 18 (51%) Behçet's disease patients compared with one (3%) in controls (P<0.001). Dilatation of the proximal aorta, interatrial septal aneurysm, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral regurgitation are the common findings of cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease. Increased dispersion of ventricular repolarisation and positive late potentials are also detected. QT dispersion is significantly higher in patients with these cardiac abnormalities. These findings suggest that cardiac involvement in this disorder is a diffuse process which involves both cardiac structure and vascular elements.

Adult↗