Atherosclerosis plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CAE). Inflammation markers may play a part in the pathogenesis of CAE. We aimed to assess the association between the CAE and the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio. Consecutive eligible patients (n = 181) were divided into 3 groups: patients with CAE, those with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD), and those with a normal coronary angiogram. The N/L ratio and mean platelet volume (MPV) were measured as part of the automated complete blood count. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L ratio and MPV between the CAE and the CAD groups. The N/L ratio and MPV were significantly higher in patients in both CAE and CAD groups compared to those in the control group (P < .01). An increased N/L ratio may play a role not only in the pathogenesis of CAD but also in the pathophysiology of CAE.

OBJECTIVE:Cardiac syndrome X is characterized by angina-like chest pain, a positive stress test, and normal coronary arteries. A patient's mean platelet volume, which potentially reflects platelet function and activity, is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mean platelet volumes of patients with cardiac syndrome X, those with coronary artery disease and normal subjects.METHODS:Two hundred thirty-six subjects (76 patients with cardiac syndrome X, 78 patients with coronary artery disease, and 82 controls) were enrolled in the study. All of the subjects were evaluated with a detailed medical history, physical examination, and biochemical analyses. The mean platelet volumes were compared between the three groups.RESULTS:The mean platelet volumes in the patients with cardiac syndrome X and with coronary artery disease were significantly higher than those that were observed in the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean platelet volumes between the cardiac syndrome X and the coronary artery disease groups.CONCLUSION:We have established that patients with cardiac syndrome X and coronary artery disease exhibit higher mean platelet volumes compared to controls. Patients with cardiac syndrome X exhibited higher mean platelet volumes compared to the controls, reflecting the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that, in addition to endothelial dysfunction, the presence of atherosclerosis may also contribute to the etiopathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X.

Inspiratory muscle training promotes significant improvements in respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity, thus resulting in a reduction of dyspnea during activities of daily living and less fatigue in PAH patients. Inspiratory muscle training is a clinically practical treatment for PAH without any complications.

Background: There are few existing large population studies on the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome-related disorders of Turkey. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome-related disorders in the Turkish adult population, to address sex, age, educational and geographical differences, and to examine blood pressure, body mass index, fasting blood glucose and serum lipids in Turkey.

Neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) ratio and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) value have been studied as new predictors of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate N/L ratio and C-IMT value in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and compare patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal participants. A total of 288 participants were enrolled in the study. The N/L ratio and C-IMT value were compared among the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L levels between CSX and CAD groups. The N/L ratio was found significantly increased in patients with CSX and CAD, compared to the control group. Patients with CAD and CSX had significantly higher C-IMT value compared to control participants. Significant positive correlation was found between C-IMT value and plasma level of N/L ratio. The relationship among CSX and higher N/L ratio level and C-IMT suggests that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX.

We investigated the clinical significance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a cardiac hormone, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subjects were 38 patients with stable COPD, of whom 20 had cor pulmonale (CP), and 22 were healthy individuals. Plasma BNP levels were measured and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was estimated by echocardiography. Arterial blood gas analysis, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were also recorded. BNP levels of patients with COPD were higher than those of controls (48.2 +/- 37.5 and 9.3 +/- 3.0 pg/ml). Patients with CP had a higher mean BNP level with respect to those without CP (73.9 +/- 35.8 and 21.0 +/- 10.2 pg/ml, respectively). BNP levels correlated with PAP (r = 0.68), partial arterial oxygen pressure (r = -0.70), FEV1 (r = -0.65) and FVC (r = -0.52). We have concluded that BNP determination has a role in the diagnosis of CP in patients with COPD.

New or worsening TR is relatively rare after PM implantation. It is not associated with an acute worsening or clinical deterioration. But echocardiographic follow-up is recommended to monitor other complications in chronic phase.

Nursing planning should be focused on patients especially those on a long-time waiting list and on patients with high trait anxiety level prior to coronary intervention.