Background: In vitro studies have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) attenuates nitric oxide production and inhibits angiogenesis, which may result in impaired collateral development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between CRP levels and the extent of coronary collaterals. Materials and methods: A total of 100 patients who had a stenosis of >95% in any major coronary artery in angiograms were included in the study. The CRP was measured from a venous blood sample with a high-sensitivity assay. Collaterals of the epicardial coronary arteries were then studied and graded in a scale of 0 - 3 according to Rentrop classification. Results: Mean age was 49.6 years and 86% were male. The mean CRP level was found 15.57 ±12.85 mg/L in grade 0 (n =25 ), 11.38± 11.11 mg/L in grade I( n=20 ), 9.22± 10.15 mg/L in grade II ( n=34 ) and 8.97±8.44 mg/L in grade III (n =21) collateral group. The mean CRP values reduced significantly (p<0.05) as the Rentrop collateral grade increased which indicated that patients with a higher grade of collaterals significantly had less CRP. Subjects with a higher grade of collaterals were significantly less likely to have diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR): 0.53, 95%; CI: 0.13, 0.91] or acute coronary syndrome [ odds ratio (OR) :0.67 , 95%; CL 0.43, 0.95] or higher CRP values [odds ratio (OR) 0.56 per 10 unit increase, 95%; CL 0.22, 0.92] but they were more likely to have higher number of vessels with significant stenosis [odds ratio (OR) : 1.59 ; 95% CI: 1.34, 1.87]. After adjusting for age, gender, clinical presentation with acute coronary syndrome, diabetes mellitus and the number of vessels with significant stenosis, each 10-unit increase in CRP values corresponded to 39% reduced- odds of having a higher collateral grade ( OR: 0.61, 95%: CL0.1 1,0.68). Conclusion: It may be concluded that elevated levels of CRP are significantly and inversely associated with angiographically visible coronary collateral development assessed by Rentrop classification. Keywords: Coronary artery disease; C-reactive protein; Coronary colletarals DOI: 10.3329/cardio.v3i1.6423Cardiovasc. j. 2010; 3(1): 26-32

Background: Hypothyroidism is an important public health problem in Bangladesh. It is associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis and other complications. The frank development of hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic derangements including dyslipidemia- which is an etiopathologic factor for development of renal impairment. This study was to evaluate whether hypothyroidism is associated with impaired renal function. Methods: Using a cross sectional analytical study design, a total of 111 subjects attending Out Patient Department, Center for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Bogra Medical College during January 2007 to December 2007 were included purposively. Eighty newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients (Group I) and 31 healthy adults (Group II) were enrolled in this study. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone and serum free thyroxine were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Serum fasting lipid profile, serum creatinine and serum uric acid were estimated by enzymatic colorimetric method. Estimated GFR was calculated using MDRD equation. Results: The mean (±SD) age of in Group I and Group II were 35.59 (±6.91) and 37.35 (±2.78) years and were comparable. In Group I, there were 66 females and 14 males. In Group II, there were 16 females and 15 males. The mean BMI was 25.49 ±2.17 kg/m2 in Group I and 24.24 ±1.99 kg/m2 in Group II. The mean (±SD) Serum total-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol and tryacylglycerol in Group I were significantly higher than that in Group II. Serum HDL cholesterol in Group I was significantly lower than that in Group II (p<0.001). The mean (±SD) serum creatinine was significantly higher in Group I than Group II (P<0.001). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in Group I compared to Group II (p=0.011). In Group I (Hypothyroid), there were significant correlations of BMI, S Total-Cholesterol, S HDLCholesterol, S LDL-Cholesterol, S triglycerides and S creatinine with serum TSH level. In Group I (Hypothyroid), there were significant positive correlations of BMI and TSH with serum creatinine. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism is associated with dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and impaired renal function. Therefore, patients presenting with these biochemical abnormalities are recommended to be investigated for hypothyroidism and vice versa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13283 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 19-25

low serum HDL-cholesterol and high BMI3. The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel lll (NCEP-ATP lll) report identified the metabolic syndrome as a multiplex of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases that deserve more clinical attention 4 . Modified NCEP-ATP lll for MetS includes raised fasting plasma glucose, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low serum HDL cholesterol and increased waist circumference 1 .Hypothyroidism is caused by suboptimal concentration of circulating thyroid hormones. The prevalence of hypothyroidism has been reported to vary in different countries. The worldwide prevalence of hypothyroidism is ABSTRACT Thyroid functions affect metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters including blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides and HDL-Cholesterol. But the relationship between MetS and thyroid functions is yet to be identified clearly. Metabolic syndrome is a state in which most features of hypothyroidism can be seen. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of MetS in hypothyroid patients. Thirty one patients with overt hypothyroidism, 32 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and 58 euthyroid controls were enrolled in this study. NCEP-ATP III criteria was used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. Majority of the participants were in the age group of 30-40 years. Body mass index and waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglycerides were found to be higher in hypothyroid patients compared to that of euthyroid controls (p<0.001). On the other hand serum HDL-C was found to be significantly lower in hypothyroid patients compared to that of euthyroid controls (p<0.001). Prevalence of MetS was 82.5% in the hypothyroid group and 27.6% in eythyroid controls (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between SCH (81.3%) and overt hypothyroid (86.7%) groups in respect to prevalence of MetS (p<0.05). The findings of the study suggest a need to investigate the presence of hypothyroidism during the management of MetS patients.

Cor triatriatum dextrum is an exceptionally rare congenital heart disease, in which the right atrium is partitioned into two chambers by a membrane to form a triatrial heart. It is caused by persistence of the right valve of sinus venosus. The aim of presenting this case is to develop awareness regarding cor triatriatum dextrum , though a rare case, can be present and may contribute to right heart failure and 2D-echocardiography is an important tool in making early and accurate diagnosis. We are reporting a case of an elderly Bangladeshi male presented with the features of mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertension with CCF with respiratory tract infection, where cor triatriatum dextrum with an atrial septal defect was an incidental finding on routine echocardiographic assessment.