Introduction: The most important way to reduce CVD-related mortality is to apply appropriate treatment according to the risk status of the patients. For this purpose, the SCORE risk model is used in Europe. In addition to these risk models, some anthropometric measurements are known to be associated with CVD risk and risk factors. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association of these anthropometric measurements, especially neck circumference (NC), with the SCORE risk chart. Methods: This was planned as a cross-sectional study. The study population were classified according to their SCORE risk values. The relationship of NC and other anthropometric measurements with the total cardiovascular risk indicated by the SCORE risk was investigated. Results: A total of 232 patients were included in the study. The patients participating in the study were analysed in four groups according to the SCORE ten-year total cardiovascular mortality risk. As a result, the NC was statistically significantly lower among the SCORE low and moderate risk group than all other SCORE risk groups (low-high and very high 36(3)–38(4) (IQR) p: 0.026, 36(3)–39(4) (IQR) p < 0.001, 36(3)–40(4) (IQR) p < 0.001), (moderate-high and very high 38(4) vs. 39(4) (IQR) p: 0.02, 38(4) vs. 40(4) (IQR) p < 0.001, 39(4) vs. 40(4) (IQR) p > 0.05). NC was found to have the strongest correlation with SCORE than the other anthropometric measurements. Conclusions: Neck circumference correlates strongly with the SCORE risk model which shows the ten-year cardiovascular mortality risk and can be used in clinical practice to predict CVD risk.

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the treatment of choice for patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes as it reduces mortality and prevents recurrent thrombotic complications. The assessment of both ischaemic burden and bleeding risk is crucial in deciding which DAPT to choose and how long it should be continued. Objectives The aim of our study was to perform prospective clinical follow-up of patients receiving fixed-dose combination therapy (ASA 75 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg). Our study is a multicentric, cross-sectional, observational, cohort study. Methods A total of 1500 patients who were started on fixed-dose combination DAPT for acute or chronic coronary syndrome were included in the study. Primary endpoints were hospitalization for any reason, hospitalization for cardiovascular cause, acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization and bleeding; the secondary endpoints were death for any reason or cardiovascular cause and stroke. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results Median age was 63 years; 78.5% of the patients were receiving DAPT treatment for acute coronary syndrome. The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons, acute myocardial infartion, stent thrombosis and target-vessel revascularization were 7.9%, 2.3%, 1.3% and 4.2%, respectively. While the rate of BARC type 1 bleeding was 3.3%, the rate of BARC type 5, 3, or 2 bleeding was 0.6%. The secondary endpoints which were death from any cause, cardiovascular death and stroke were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows that fixed-dose combination therapy is effective and safe in appropriately selected patients with acute or chronic coronary syndromes.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between vitamin D levels in patients with heart failure (HF) and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We studied 57 patients (mean age: 60.47±13.09 years) with New York Heart Association Class II or III heart failure, QRS duration ?120 milliseconds, and ejection fraction 15% decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6 months compared with baseline measurements. Vitamin D levels were evaluated before CRT implantation with ELISA. Of the 57 patients, 34 patients (59.6%) were classified as responders and 23 patients (40.4%) were classified as non-responders. Baseline features, laboratory findings, and echocardiographic characteristics were nearly the same in both groups. High vitamin D level was detected in responder group compared to non-responder group (26.17±7.5 ng/mL vs 21.15±5.9 ng/mL; p=0.009). Age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic cardiomyopathy, QRS morphology and duration, and levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and vitamin D were associated with CRT response in our study population. In multivariate regression analysis, preimplantation QRS duration, and BNP and vitamin D levels remained independent predictors (QRS duration Odds ratio [OR]: 1.047, CI: 1.019-1.417, p=0.006; BNP OR: 0.997, 95% CI: 0.994-0.999, p=0.029; vitamin D OR: 1.121, 95% CI: 1.011-1.242, p=0.030). In the present study, preimplantation level of vitamin D was found to be predictor of response to CRT.