Aim: Ascending aortic dilatation is a common clinical issue. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between ascending aortic diameter with left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) functions, and LV mass index (LVMI) in a population with normal LV systolic function.Methods: A total of 127 healthy participants with normal LV systolic function took part in the study. Echocardiographic measurements were obtained from each subject.Results: The mean age of the participants was 43 ± 14.1 years and 76 (59.8%) were female. The mean aortic diameter of the participants was 32.2 ± 4.7 mm. A negative correlation was found between aortic diameter and LV systolic function (LVEF r = ‐.516, p < .001; Gls r = ‐.370). In addition, there was a strong positive correlation between aortic diameter with LV wall thicknesses, LVMI (r = .745, p < .001), and systolic and diastolic diameters. The relationship between aortic diameter and diastolic parameters was evaluated, a negative correlation with Mitral E, Em, E/A ratio, and a positive correlation with MPI, Mitral A, Am, E/Em ratio were found.Conclusion: A strong correlation between ascending aortic diameter with LV and LA functions, and LVMI in individuals with normal LV systolic function.

BACKGROUND:This study assessed the association between a novel inflammatory marker, uric acid (UA)-to-albumin ratio (UAR), and preprocedural intracoronary artery thrombus (ICAT) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS:A total of 171 STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention between February and December 2023 were evaluated prospectively in this cross-sectional study. The patients were stratified into 2 groups as low (grades 1 to 3) and high-(ICAT) groups (grades 4 and 5). To determine the independent predictors of lower and higher ICAT, multivariate regression analysis was performed. RESULTS:C-reactive protein (CRP), UA, and UAR were significantly higher in the high ICAT group (1.11 (0.3-2.8) vs 0.80 (0.10-2.8), P=0.037; 5.4 (3.5-7.2) vs 4.9 (3.4-5.6), P<0.001; 1.78 (0.82-3) vs 1.48 (0.77-2.57), P<0.001, respectively). However, albumin levels were similar between groups (3.1 (2.1-4.4) vs 3.3 (2.1-4.4), P=0.243). Higher UAR (OR: 3.95% CI: 1.23-12.7, P=0.021), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR=0.802; 95% CI 0.7537-0.872; P<0.001), longer pain-wire crossing time (OR=1; 95% CI: 1-1.02; P<0.001), and diabetes mellitus (OR=0.181; 95% CI 0.46-0.7; P<0.001) were independent predictors of ICAT. CONCLUSIONS:UAR, a marker of inflammation, is an independent predictor of ICAT in patients with STEMI.

The development of atrial fibrillation (AF) has important prognostic implications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), due to the concurrent need for both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term incidence and predictors of AF in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI. We prospectively enrolled 337 consecutive ACS patients in sinus rhythm who underwent PCI and did not develop AF during hospitalization. Patients were followed every six months for up to 72 months. Follow-up data were available for 300 patients (89%); 37 patients were lost to follow-up. At the end of follow-up, 34 patients (11.3%) had developed AF. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that mitral annular calcification (MAC) was significantly associated with an increased incidence of AF from the early stages (χ² = 24.620, log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression identified body mass index (BMI) (HR: 1.070; 95% CI: 1.010–1.130; p = 0.022), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR: 0.942; 95% CI: 0.918–0.916; p < 0.001), mitral annular late diastolic velocity (Am) (HR: 0.785; 95% CI: 0.707–0.872; p < 0.001), and mitral annular calcification (MAC) (HR: 4.066; 95% CI: 1.976–8.368; p < 0.001) as independent predictors. These findings provide important insights into the long-term risk of AF after PCI in ACS patients and may support early identification and management of high-risk individuals.

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the primary contributor to global mortality. The QRS-T angle at the anterior aspect of the heart serves as a significant biomarker of the heterogeneity in myocardial repolarization and the electrophysiological instability of the cardiac myocytes. A wide frontal QRS-T angle is associated with proximal vascular disease, coexistence of three-vessel disease, and increased mortality. Hereby, we aimed to examine the relationship between collateral circulation and frontal QRS-T angle in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO). Methods: A cohort comprising 120 patients (17 females, 14.1%) who received a diagnosis of chronic total occlusion (CTO) subsequent to the administration of coronary angiography conducted for the evaluation of stable angina pectoris was incorporated into the investigation. The electrocardiographs of the patients were evaluated in detail, and the frontal QRS-T angle was calculated. The patients were categorized into two groups: subjects exhibiting an increased frontal QRS-T angle (>110° for men, >90° for women) and those presenting with a normative frontal QRS-T angle. Coronary angiographies of the patients were analyzed, and coronary collateral circulation was classified according to Rentrop classification. Results: Serum albumin level (OR = 0.711, 95% CI 0.564–0.896; p = 0.004) and poor collateral flow (OR = 17.7, 95% CI 12.2–85.3; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of raised frontal QRS-T angle. Conclusions: The frontal QRS-T angle is a novel parameter that is more reliable, consistent, and less sensitive to miscalculation and misidentification than other conventional electrocardiographic myocardial repolarization parameters. Revealing the bad collateral relationship with the frontal QRS-T angle may enable physicians to take more stringent precautions and change the risk factors related to the increased QRS-T angle in advance.