Background: Although the pathophysiology of coronary slow flow (CSF) has not been fully elucidated, emerging data increasingly support potential role for subclinical diffuse atherosclerosis in the etiology of CSF. We aimed to investigate relationship between atherogenic indices and CSF. Methods: 130 patients with CSF diagnosed according to Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-frame count (TFC) method and 130 controls who had normal coronary flow (NCF) were included in this retrospective study. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma [AIP], Castelli risk indices I and II [CRI-I and II]) were calculated using conventional lipid parameters. Results: The logistic regression analyses demonstrated that AIP (OR, 5.463; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.357–21.991; p = 0.017) and CRI-II (OR, 1.624; 95% CI, 1.138–2.319; p = 0.008) were independent predictors of CSF. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value to predict the occurrence of CSF was 0.66 for AIP (sensitivity, 59%; specificity, 73%; area under curve [AUC], 0.695; p < 0.001) and 3.27 for CRI-II (sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 79%; AUC, 0.726; p < 0.001). Conclusions: AIP and CRI-II levels were independent predictors of CSF. Prospective studies in larger cohorts of patients may elucidate the role of atherogenic dyslipidemia in the pathophysiology of CSF.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between admission lactate to albumin ratio (LAR) and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).Material sand Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 87 adult patients admitted to a coronary intensive care unit (ICU) with ADHF. LAR was calculated using admission laboratory values. Patients were classified according to in-hospital survival status. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables were analyzed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the prognostic performance of the LAR.Results: In-hospital mortality occurred in 29 of 87 patients (33.3%). Median lactate levels were significantly higher in non-survivors compared with survivors (3.47 vs. 2.10 mmol/L, p < 0.001). The LAR was also higher in non-survivors (0.93 vs. 0.59, p = 0.002), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower (28.2% vs. 36.1%, p = 0.006). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR 80.8, p < 0.001) and LVEF (adjusted OR 0.92 per %, p = 0.016) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality, whereas the LAR was not (p = 0.266). ROC analysis demonstrated fair discrimination for the LAR in predicting mortality (AUC 0.706).Conclusion: Although higher LAR values were associated with mortality in unadjusted analysis, this marker did not provide independent prognostic value beyond established indicators of disease severity in critically ill patients with ADHF.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the possible relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and myocardial damage markers such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and troponin T (TnT) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Materials and Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients (age range: 27-80 years) with chronic HF were enrolled in the study. Serum H-FABP, TnT and MPO levels were measured. Routine biochemical and clinical parameters were recorded. Echocardiographic examinations were performed on all patients. A linear regression analysis was performed to determine the correlates of serum H-FABP. Results: The MPO, H-FABP and TnT levels were 255 ± 227, 60.6 ± 48.5 and 0.07 ± 0.15 ng/ml, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = -0.36, p = 0.006), creatinine level (β = 0.3, p = 0.024) and serum MPO level (β = 0.41, p = 0.009) were significant determinants of H-FABP levels. Bivariate predictors were not significantly associated with TnT levels in linear regression analyses. Conclusions: The MPO was significantly associated with serum H-FABP levels but not with TnT.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in the field of medicine to retrieve information from large databases by using advanced computer algorithms. AI has the potential to accelerate the identification and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including conditions such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and several others. From a clinical perspective, AI enhances the diagnosis of CVD, increases the usefulness of auxiliary tools, aids in stratifying and identifying different types of diseases, and enables accurate prediction of outcomes. State-of-the-art AI algorithms, designed to extract minute connections from extensive healthcare data, are anticipated to address more challenging tasks compared to earlier methods. The goal of this research is to emphasize the current uses of AI in CVDs, thereby equipping doctors with little knowledge in computer science to gain a deeper understanding and effectively use AI algorithms in clinical practice.

Nasal septum deviation is the leading cause of upper airway obstruction. Chronic upper airway obstruction may cause myocardial injury due to chronic hypoxia. Effects of septoplasty on left venticular diastolic and sistolic functions are not well known. The myocardial performance index is an easy-to-apply and reliable parameter that reflects systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nasal septoplasty on the myocardial performance index in patients with nasal septal deviation. This prospective study consisted of 50 consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty due to symptomatic prominent C- or S-shaped nasal septal deviation. Transthoracic echocardiogarphy was performed in all patients before and 3 months after septoplasty. Calculated myocardial performance indices were compared. Significantly higher left ventricular myocardial performance index (0.52 ± 0.06 vs. 0.41 ± 0.04, p < 0.001), longer isovolumic relaxation time (95.0 ± 12.5 vs. 78.0 ± 8.6 ms, p < 0.001), longer isovolumic contraction time (45.5 ± 7.8 vs. 39.5 ± 8.6 ms, p < 0.001), longer deceleration time (184.3 ± 32.5 vs. 163.6 ± 45.4 ms, p = 0.004), higher ratio of transmitral early to late peak velocities (E/A) (1.42 ± 0.4 vs. 1.16 ± 0.2, p = 0.006) and shorter ejection time (270.1 ± 18.3 vs. 286.5 ± 25.8 ms, p < 0.001) were observed before septoplasty when compared to values obtained 3 months after septoplasty. Left ventricular systolic ejection fraction was similar before and after septoplasty (63.8±2.8% vs. 64.6±3.2%, p = 0.224). Septoplasty surgery not only reduces nasal blockage symptoms in nasal septal deviation patients but also may improve left ventricular performance. Thus, treatment of nasal septal deviation without delay is suggested to prevent possible future cardiovascular events.