Background: The frequency of cardiovascular system involvement is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may result in serious morbidity and mortality. Early intervention and control of the disease activity may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of steroids and methotrexate (Mtx) on the heart functions of newly diagnosed RA patients. Methods: Our study is a prospective cohort study involving thirty-six newly diagnosed RA patients according to the American Society of Rheumatology classification criteria. Right and left ventricular echocardiography, and Doppler parameters were evaluated in these patients thrice; before treatment, after onemonth of steroid treatment, and after three months of Mtx treatment, and laboratory/clinical parameters were noted. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.66 +/- 13.66 years. After the treatment, a significant decrease was observed in the values of inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP) and disease activity score (DAS28) [p<.05]. Left ventricular tissue Doppler showed an increase in lateral S, septal S, and mitral S waves compared to baseline (8.37 +/- 1.89 vs 10.0 +/- 1.8 cm/s p .001). While there was a decrease in tissue Doppler tricuspid a wave (18.33 +/- 4.76 vs 15.63 +/- 4.36 p 1/4 .016), an increase in Tricuspid E/e' value and Tricuspid tissue Doppler e/a value was detected after treatment (0.76 +/- 0.30) vs 0.94 +/- 0.53) p<.010). Significant changes were found to be more prominent after the Mtx treatment. Conclusion: In RA patients, steroid and Mtx treatment significantly positively affects left ventricular systolic and right ventricular diastolic functions.

Background/Objectives: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is an important cause that is thought main potential factor in Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Extended Holter ECG is an expensive and time-consuming examination. It needs another tools for predicting PAF in ESUS patients. In this study, serum galectin-3 levels, ECG parameters (PR interval, P wave time and P wave peak time) LA volume index, LA global peak strain and atrial electromechanical conduction time values were investigated for predicting PAF. Methods: 150 patients with ESUS and 30 volunteers for the control group were recruited to study. 48–72 h Holter ECG monitoring was used for detecting PAF. Patients were divided into two groups (ESUS + PAF and ESUS-PAF) according to the development of PAF in Holter ECG monitoring. Results: 30 patients with ESUS whose Holter ECG monitoring showed PAF, were recruited to the ESUS + PAF group. Other 120 patients with ESUS were recruited to the ESUS-PAF group. PA lateral, PA septum, and PA tricuspid were higher in the ESUS + PAF group (p < 0.001 for all). Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in ESUS + PAF than in ESUS-PAF and control groups (479.0 pg/mL ± 435.8 pg/mL, 297.8 pg/mL ± 280.3 pg/mL, and 125.4 ± 87.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly correlated with LAVI, PA lateral, and global peak LA strain (r = 0.246, p = 0.001, p = 0.158, p = 0.035, r = −0.176, p = 0.018, respectively). Conclusion: Serum galectin-3 levels is found higher in ESUS patients which developed PAF and Serum galectin-3 levels are associated LA adverse remodeling in patients with ESUS.

Background: Thiazide‐induced hyponatremia (TIH) is a well‐recognized adverse effect of thiazide diuretics, typically occurring in elderly individuals. Severe acute hyponatremia presenting with seizures in middle‐aged adults is uncommon. Combination therapy with spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldactazide) may increase susceptibility to rapid electrolyte shifts. We report a case of early‐onset, symptomatic hyponatremia leading to generalized seizure shortly after initiation of Aldactazide. Case Presentation: A 52‐year‐old woman with hypertension presented after experiencing a generalized tonic–clonic seizure at home. She had started Aldactazide (spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily) 3 days earlier, in addition to perindopril/amlodipine and captopril. Two weeks before symptom onset, her serum sodium level was 131 mmol/L. On admission to the intensive care unit, she was alert and hemodynamically stable, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe hyponatremia (115 mmol/L), hypokalemia (3.3 mmol/L; ionized 2.7 mmol/L), and hypochloremia (76 mmol/L). Lactate was transiently elevated at 8.3 mmol/L, consistent with postictal physiology. Renal, thyroid, and adrenal functions were normal. Brain CT and MRI showed no acute abnormalities. Controlled correction with 3% hypertonic saline resulted in progressive normalization of serum sodium (115 ⟶ 121 ⟶ 125 ⟶ 131 mmol/L) without overcorrection. The patient experienced complete neurological recovery and was transferred to the nephrology ward for continued monitoring. Aldactazide was discontinued. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that TIH can develop rapidly in middle‐aged individuals and may lead to life‐threatening neurological complications, including seizures. Clinicians should closely monitor serum sodium during the early phase of thiazide‐containing diuretic therapy, particularly when combination regimens such as Aldactazide are prescribed.

Aim: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) could be an early marker for amyloidosis before developing of overt symptoms of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). CA characterized with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and impairment of LV deformation-based parameters. There is limited data about echocardiographic parameters such as strain value of LV, diastolic parameters and atrial EMD in patients with idiopathic CTS. In this study, we investigated LV strain values, diastolic parameters of LV and atrial EMD in patients with idiopathic CTS. Then, we compared these parameters in CTS patients to control group. Material and Method: Thirty-four patients with idiopathic CTS and twenty-four aged and sex matched volunteers were enrolled to study. Patients with known amyloidosis, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and secondary etiologic states for CTS such as trauma or rheumatologic disease were excluded from the study. ECG and echocardiographic examination of each patient were performed and recorded by cardiology specialist. Conventional and strain imaging echocardiography were performed. Atrial electromechanical delays (EMD) were measured. Results: Baseline characteristics features were not different in groups. Mitral inflow velocities (mitral E and A wave), mitral E wave deceleration time, tissue Doppler velocities (lateral annular E’ and A wave), E/A and E/E’ ratios were similar in two groups. Septal basal strain values increased in CTS group (-21.3±4.83% vs -25.7±2.96%, p<0.001). Septal apical to base ratio (SAB) and relative apical sparing (RELAPS) were increased in CTS group compared to control group (0.94±0.43 vs 0.66±0.12, 0.90±0.31 vs 0.73±0.08, p=0.004, p=0.013, respectively). PA lateral, PA septal, inter-atrial EMD and intra-atrial EMD were significantly higher in CTS group compared to control group (78.2±12.3 ms vs 70.6±9.9 ms, 64.1±8.42 ms vs 58.3±10.1 ms, 25.8±9.09 ms vs 20.7±5.31 ms, 11.68±5.11 ms vs 8.46±3.02 ms, p=0.015, p=0.023, p=0.009 and p=.008, respectively). Conclusion: In CTS group, mean basal strain decreased compared to control group. SAB and RELAPS which associate with CA, decreased in CTS group. Atrial EMD prolonged in CTS group. These changes may associate with increased risk of CA and AF in patients with CTS.

Longitudinal data on nailfold capillaroscopic changes in young adults with essential hypertension are limited. This exploratory study evaluated baseline ca

Aims: Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by melanocyte loss. It is thought to have a robust association with various systemic and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent disorder in clinical practice and appears to be predictable by atrial electromechanical delay (EMD). This study aimed to detect atrial conduction time through tissue Doppler echocardiography, a non-invasive method used for patients with vitiligo. Methods: We conducted this study with 32 patients diagnosed with generalized vitiligo and 38 age- and sex-matched controls. We evaluated all participants' blood samples, including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and other laboratory parameters. Then, we calculated atrial EMD, intra-atrial EMD, and left atrial EMD. Results: We found neutrophil count, NLR levels, and hs-CRP levels to be significantly higher in the vitiligo group (6 ± 1.4 vs. 4.5 ± 2.3, p = 0.001; 3.5 ± 1.4 vs. 2.5 ± 1.9, p = 0.024; 6.2 ± 1.9 mg/dl vs. 4.1 ± 1.3 mg/dl, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, inter-atrial and intra-atrial EMD were significantly higher in the vitiligo group compared to the control group (36.3 ± 8.5 vs. 24.2 ± 10.8, p < 0.001; 18.1 ± 8.3 vs. 10.9 ± 5.8, p < 0.001, respectively). Finally, left atrial EMD was higher in the vitiligo group, but we could not reach statistical significance (15.3 ± 6.9 vs. 13.2 ± 7.2, p = 0.33). Conclusion: We concluded that intra-atrial EMD and inter-atrial EMD were significantly prolonged in the vitiligo patients. Our results suggest that vitiligo patients are at risk for atrial fibrillation.