Introduction: Many scoring systems have been developed to determine the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with multi-vessel disease. The most widely used of these are Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) and Gensini scoring. Gensini scoring system can successfully show coronary plaque burden. In our study, we aimed to test the predictive power of SYNTAX and Gensini scores for surgical or percutaneous intervention decisions made by the cardiac team in patients with three-vessel disease. Methods: A total of 476 patients without ST-elevation myocardial infarction with the three-vessel disease were included in the study. SYNTAX and Gensini scores of the patients were calculated from their coronary angiographies. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-curve) analysis was performed using both scores. Results: Both the SYNTAX score and Gensini score were able to predict heart team decisions (AUC: 0.759, 0.680; p<0.001). Diabetes and smoking were more common in patients who were decided to have surgery (p<0.001). Conclusion: In the light of our study results, the decisions to be made with the SYNTAX score will be closer to the decisions of the heart team than the Gensini score.

Resistant hypertension is hypertension that cannot be controlled despite the use of three antihypertensive drugs, one of which is a diuretic. Resistant hypertension often coexists with advanced age, obesity, smoking, and diabetes. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are substances that are generated as a result of the glycation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids due to conditions such as hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and hyperglycemia. There are studies showing the relationships between AGE levels and aortic stiffness, hypertension, and microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetes. In our study, we examined the relationship between resistant hypertension and AGE levels. Our study was planned as a case–control study, and 88 patients with resistant hypertension were included in the focus group, while 88 patients with controlled hypertension were included in the control group. The AGE levels of the patients were measured using the skin autofluorescence method. AGE levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with resistant hypertension than those recorded in the control group. A significant increase in AGE levels was also observed in patients with resistant hypertension and without diabetes compared with the control group. The levels of AGEs, which can be measured cheaply, noninvasively, and quickly with the skin autofluorescence method, may provide benefits in identifying these patients with resistant hypertension.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors leading to cardiometabolic diseases.The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MS on left atrial function, which is an important determinant of left ventricular filling. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured echocardiographically in 32 MS patients and 32 age- and sex-matched controls. LA volumes were determined at the time of mitral valve opening (maximal, Vmax), at the onset of atrial systole (p wave on the electrocardiogram, Vp) and at the mitral valve closure (minimal, Vmin) according to the biplane area-length method in apical 4-chamber and 2-chamber view. All volumes were corrected to the body surface area, and following left atrial emptying functions were calculated. LA passive emptying volume =Vmax- Vp LA passive emptying fraction = LA passive emptying volume/Vmax . Conduit volume= LV stroke volume - (Vmax- Vmin), LA active emptying volume =Vp- Vm,, LA active emptying fraction= LA active emptying volume/Vp, LA total emptying volume = (Vmax -Vmin), LA total emptying fraction = LA total emptying volume/Vmax. RESUITS: LA maximal volume and LA presystolic volume were significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (P <0.001). But LA minimum volume was significantly lower in MS patients than in controls (P <0.001). Although LA passive emptying volume (P <0.03), LA passive emptying fraction (P <0.001) and conduit volume (P <0.001) were found to be significantly lower in MS patients than in controls, LA active emptying volume (P <0.001) and LA active emptying fraction (P< 0.001) were significantly greater in MS patients than in controls. Conclusion In our study, metabolic syndrome was associated with increased left atrial volume, decreased left atrial passive emptying function and increased pump function. Increased left atrial pump function represents a compensatory mechanism in patients with MS.Thus, these results underline the importance of maintaining a sinus rhythm in these patients.

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) as a predictor of cardiac events in coronary artery disease has previously been reported. In this study, we hypothesized that presence of fQRS on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission would be predictive of adverse outcomes in non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). A total of 149 NSTEMI patients (112 male, 37 female) were retrospectively analyzed. The fQRS pattern was defined as the presence of an additional R', notching in the nadir of the S wave, fragmentation of the RS or QS complexes in 2 contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. The relationship between presence of fQRS on admission on a 12-lead ECG, and primary end points [cardiovascular death (CVD)] and secondary end points (re-infarction, repeat target vessel revascularization [percutaneous/surgical]) were assessed. The median follow-up time was 18 (13-24) months. Other than age, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and laboratory findings for patients in the fQRS and non-fQRS groups. The patients in the fQRS group were older [64 years vs 59 years, p=0.048]. CVD and re-infarction were significantly higher in the fQRS group in the median 18-month follow-up (26.1% vs 8.7%, p=0.005; 23.9% vs 10.7%, p=0.035, respectively). By a multivariate regression analysis in all 149 patients, age ≥65 years and the presence of fQRS in a 12-lead ECG on admission were found to be powerful independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 4.91, 95% CI: 1.60-15.03, p=0.005; HR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.02-7.50, p=0.044, respectively). Presence of fQRS on a 12-lead ECG on admission is associated with increased long-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI.

Objectives: Inflammation parameters are related to the prevalence and mortality of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the leuko-glycemic index (LGI) and determine mortality in patients with chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO). Methods: A total of 546 patients were evaluated in the study. All-cause death was the primary endpoint. The leuko-glycemic index was calculated from the blood samples at admission and patients were divided into 3 groups according to their LGI levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were performed and logistic regression analyses was used for all multivariable analysis. Results: The mean age of the study population was 63.1 ± 11.1 years and 70.3% were male. Median follow-up time 58.2 ± 22.4 months. The mortality rate was 33.6% in the high LGI group and significantly higher compared to the other group. In multivariable analysis, LGI (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1,0-1.2; p = 0.02) and age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04-1.11; p = 0.001) were found as predictors of all-cause death. Conclusions: The study revealed that high LGI is associated with all-cause death in CTO patients and LGI was a predictor of all-cause death.

Objectives: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is characterized by delayed opasification of the coronary arteries in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. Catestatin has several cardiovasculer actions, in addition to diminihed sympato-adrenal flow. The study was to investigated associations between CSF and plasma catestatin levels. Method: This study included 45 CSF patients (37 male, mean age 48 ± 9.5 years) and 30 control individuals (24 male, mean age 48.4 ± 9 years). Coronary flow was quantified according to the TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) frame count method for coronary arteries. Serum catestatin levels taken from blood samples were measured by ELISA method. These parameters were compared between the groups. Results: When compared with to the control group the serum catestatin levels was found higher in the CSF group. In addition to this, mean platelet volume was also significantly higher in patients with coronary slow flow. Conclusions: Our study revealed that catestatin levels are increased in patients with CSF. Coronary slow flow that increased catecholaminergic sympathetic system activities seem to be among the reasons of endothelial dysfunction.