Atrial electromechanical conduction times were increased in the BD patients compared with those in the controls. The tendency of BD patients to go into AF can be easily and non-invasively detected using tissue Doppler echocardiography. These findings may be indicators for subclinical cardiac involvement.

Introduction:The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the extend and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) determined by the Gensini score and complete blood count parameters (white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet, mean platelet volume, lymphocyte, neutrophil).Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with CAD underwent coronary angiography (40 females, mean age 61 ± 1.2 years) were included in this study. Patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior cardiovascular disease excluded from the study. The association between the extent and severity of CAD, which were assessed by the Gensini score, and complete blood count parameters was analyzed by a correlation analysis.Results: Coronary angiography revealed, 6 (6.7%) patients had three, 16 (17.8%) patients had two, and 24 (26.7%) patients had single-vessel disease; 44 (48.9%) patients had non-critical stenosis. The mean Gensini score was 19.1 ± 2.1. We found a relationship between white blood cell and neutrophil counts and the Gensini score. There was no relationship between Gensini score and the mean platelet volume and other parameters. Conclusion:The present study supports the hypothesis that inflammation is one of the main component in the pathogenesis of CAD.

Objective:Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported in various atherosclerotic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and various hematological parameters including MPV.Methods:This study was performed with a retrospective review of the angiographic images of patients who underwent renal angiography at Bülent Ecevit University catheter laboratory between January 2004 and December 2009. The patients were trichotomized into three groups based on the presence and severity of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Group 1 included patients with a critical RAS (33 patients; 18 female (F), 15 male (M); mean age 61.6±11.5 years), group 2 consisted of patients with non-critical RAS (26 patients; 15 F, 11 M; mean age 58.1±11.3 years), and group 3 was composed of patients without RAS (69 patients; 38 F, 31 M; mean age 53.5±11.9 years). Demographic data, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters were compared between the groups.Results:Comparison of the hematological parameters revealed that MPV and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and 3 (8.96±0.99 fL versus 8.35±0.76 fL, 8.31±0.79 fL, respectively; p=0.001; 16.53±0.58% versus 16.19±0.56%, 16.29±0.53%, respectively; p=0.04).Conclusion:MPV levels are higher in patients with ARAS. Considering both the effect of platelets on atherosclerosis and their close association with other risk factors, MPV level may be an important factor in pathogenesis of ARAS.

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Coronary artery fi stulas are usually asymptomatic and rare congenital anomalies. Coronary angiography is the main method for the diagnosis of coronary artery fi stulas. Non-invasive methods such as echocardiography may also be helpful for the diagnosis. In this paper we reported a case of a coronary artery fi stula concomitant with degenerative bicuspid aortic valve stenosis which was diagnosed with transthorasic echocardiography.