Providing patients with comprehensive knowledge about statins, even in patients, who were already on statin therapy, seems not only to improve adherence but also increase the percentage of those reaching targets.

Cardiac device infections have been encountered more often in recent years. Cure of device infections is achievable in a majority of patients treated with antimicrobial treatment and complete device removal although device-related endocarditis can have an aggressive course.

HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a compact, intrapericardial, centrifugal flow pump with a fully magnetically levitated rotor and a wide range of operation (2–10 L/min) to accommodate a broad range of clinical needs. We analyzed our experience with Heartware VAD (HVAD) and HM3 implantation through minimally invasive left thoracotomy (MILT) and upper minimal J sternotomy. Between March 2015 and October 2016, 31 patients who underwent LVAD implantation through MILT were included in this study. Twenty‐three patients had HVAD (Group A) implantation, whereas 8 patients had HM3 (Group B). To compare outcomes of these pumps, measures were; mortality, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, duration of mechanical ventilatory support, blood loss and transfusion, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, right ventricular failure (RVF) and requirement of support with temporary devices, stroke, pump thrombosis, gastrointestinal bleeding and driveline infection rates. Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profiles, Pennsylvania and Michigan Risk Scores, right ventricular stroke work index and central venous pressure/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio did not differ between these two groups. There was no difference in the length of ICU stay (P = 0.056), post‐operative blood product administration (P = 0.701), total time on mechanical ventilation (P = 0.386), RVF (P = 1) or duration of CPB (P = 0.836). In‐hospital cerebrovascular event rate was 13% in Group A and 0% in Group B, respectively. The HM3 assist system can be successfully implanted with minimally invasive techniques. This technique has proved to be safe and reproducible, with good clinical outcomes. Further, large collaborative studies are needed to identify the advantages of this approach.

Our study shows that PMBV has a favorable effect on the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters related with AF risk in patients with MS.

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Our results showed that PDW levels were higher in patients with an occluded saphenous vein graft. However no association was found between the saphenous vein graft disease and RDW values. To verify this relationship between PDW values and saphenous vein graft patency, further investigations are needed.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the factors influencing the use of ambulance among patients admitted to two Turkish hospitals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Overall, 330 with a mean age of 55±13 years, hospitalized patients with ACS at 2 different hospitals were included in this prospective cohort study. The factors influencing the use of ambulance hospital were investigated through a questionnaire. The comparisons were made between two groups regarding use of ambulance. The predictors of the use of ambulance were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Despite the high rate of knowing the emergency service number of "112", of the 330 patents, only 96 (29%) used ambulance. Ambulance users had shorter arrival duration with median of 60 min vs 120 min (p=0.03). Presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (OR=3.127, 95% CI: 1.555-6.2877, p<0.001), severity of chest pain (OR=2.665, 95% CI: 1.938-3.665, p<0.001), presence of accompanying symptoms such as dyspnea (OR= 5.510, 95% CI: 2.614-11.614, p<0.001), dizziness (OR=4.172, 95% CI: 1.901-9.154, p<0.001) and vomiting (OR=3.756, 95% CI: 1.521-9.272, p=0.004), knowledge of cardiac risk factors (OR=10.512, 95% CI: 4.497-24.572, p<0.001) or chest pain related to heart attack and the importance of quickly seeking for medical care by calling ambulance (OR= 4.184, 95% CI: 2.528-6.926, p<0.001) are the factors associated with ambulance use. Conclusion: Using ambulance was in a very low rate among our study patients with ACS. Severity of symptoms, type of ACS and knowledge are seemed to be related with increased ambulance use. Informative health educational programs can be organized to achieve a behavioral change in using of ambulance. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2013; 13: 516-22) Key words: Ambulance use, acute coronary syndrome, regression analysis Original Investigation Özgün Araşt›rma 516ÖZET Amaç: Ambulans kullanılması akut koroner sendromlu (AKS) hastaların hastaneye nakli sırasında sadece hızlı değil, aynı zamanda güvenilir ulaşım şeklidir. Bu çalışma AKS tanısı ile iki ayrı merkeze başvuran hastalarda ambulans kullanımını etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntemler: Türkiye'de 2 ayrı hastanede AKS tanısı ile hastaneye yatırılan ve yaş ortalaması 55±13 olan toplam 330 hasta bu prospektif kohort çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların hastaneye ulaşım şeklini etkileyen faktörler bir anket formu aracılığıyla araştırılmıştır. Hastalar ambulans kullanıp kullanmadıklarına göre iki gruba ayrılarak karşılaştırmalar yapılmıştır. Ambulans kullanımını belirleyen faktörler çoklu lojistik regresyon analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Acil servis numarası "112"nin yüksek oranda biliniyor olmasına rağmen, 330 hastanın sadece 96'sı (%29) ambulans kullanırken, geri kalan 234 (%71) hasta kendi ulaşımını sağlamıştır. Ambulans kullananların hastaneye ulaşım süreleri (ortanca 120 dakikaya karşılık 60 dakika olarak) daha kısa olmuştur (p=0,03). ST yükselmeli miyokart enfarktüsü ile başvurma (OR=3,127, %9...