Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) is an index used for the detection of liver fibrosis. We investigated the relationship between NFS and complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this cross-sectional study, 109 patients with CAD and 50 patients without CAD were enrolled. Demographic data, laboratory parameters, epicardial fat thickness (EFT), NFS, and Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score were recorded. Waist circumference, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), EFT, and NFS were significantly higher in the CAD group (P < .05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ejection fraction were significantly lower in the CAD group (P < .05). The SYNTAX score was positively correlated with fasting glucose, LDL-C, EFT, and NFS and negatively correlated with HDL-C (P < .05). The NFS was positively correlated with EFT (P = .019). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that NFS (P = .012), EFT (P < .001), and LDL-C (P = .001) were independently associated with the SYNTAX score. In conclusion, NFS, as a marker of NAFLD, could identify patients at higher risk of CVD.

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is constantly increasing. However, the association between e-cigarette use and ventricular arrhythmia is unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the markers of ventricular repolarization such as QT interval, corrected QT (QTc), QT dispersion (QTd), peak-to-end interval of the T wave (Tp-e), corrected Tp-e and Tp-e/QT ratios in e-cigarette users. Methods: The study population consisted 36 e-cigarette users and 40 healthy subjects. Ventricular repolarization parameters were obtained from 12-lead resting electrocardiogram. Ventricular repolarization parameters of the groups were compared. Results: Basal demographic and laboratory data were similar in both groups. According to the electrocardiographic parameters, the Tp-e interval, corrected Tp-e, and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly higher in individuals using e-ciga- rettes than in control subjects [74.9±6.4 milliseconds (ms) vs. 80.1±4.1ms, <0.001; 82.9±7.5 ms vs. 87.8±6.3 ms, p=0.003; 0.20±0.01 vs. 0.21±0.01, p=0.002; respectively]. Conclusion: This is the first study to show the disruption of ventricular repolarization properties in e-cigarette users. E-cig- arette use in terms of public health leads to augmentation of transmural dispersion of repolarization, which may be potential indicator of ventricular arrhythmogenesis. Keywords: Electronic cigarette; ventricular repolarization; Tp-e interval; Tp-e/QT ratio.

Vitamin D is a pleiotropic steroid hormone that modulates the autonomic balance. Its deficiency has been described as an environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptors (VDR) and to evaluate cardiac dysautonomia in MS patients due to bidirectional interaction between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and on 24 healthy controls. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure variability (BPV) was calculated and the participants were evaluated for orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension. Serum levels of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR were measured. Results: The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in MS patients than in controls (p = 0.044); however there was no significant difference in terms of VDR and VDBP levels between the groups. Supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension were significant and the 24-hour systolic BPV was significantly decreased in patients with MS (p < 0.05) compared to controls. No correlation was found between vitamin D, VDBP and VDR with supine hypertension, orthostatic hypotension and systolic BPV values (p > 0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between VDBP and the EDSS (p = 0.039, r = −0.406). Conclusion: There was no correlation between orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension and systolic BPV values and serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR in MS patients. Future prospective studies with large number of patients may help us to better understand the relationship between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common sexual disorders in men. Excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system is considered as one of the pathological mechanisms of PE. Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a noninvasive and easily applicable method for evaluating autonomic functions. We aimed to investigate the relationship between PE and HRR. This cross‐sectional study included 42 consecutive patients with lifelong PE and 98 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent stress tests according to age‐dependent target heart rates outlined in the Bruce protocol. When the maximal heart rate was reached in the stress test, intensive exercise was terminated and electrocardiographic records were obtained for 3 min in the cool‐down period. The HRR indices were calculated by subtracting the heart rate at first, second and third minutes from the maximal HR. The two groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, serum glucose and lipid parameters. HRR indices were significantly lower in the PE group compared with the control group (p < .05 for all). Common factors that affect equilibrium of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems may be involved in the PE and abnormal HRR etiopathogenesis. The cause‐and‐effect relationship can be more clearly demonstrated with large‐scale, prospective studies.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), electrocardiographic measures of ST-segment resolution (STR) may give information about the myocardial perfusion and poor prognosis. To investigate the relation of endocan and galectin-3 levels with STR in STEMI patients. In this cross-sectional study, 98 consecutive patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI were enrolled. Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) scores were recorded. Electrocardiograms were assessed at baseline and 60 min after PPCI. According to STR levels, patients undergoing PPCI (n = 98) were divided into complete STR group (≥70%, n = 53) and incomplete STR group (<70%, n = 45). Serum glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SYNTAX score, endocan and galectin-3 levels were significantly higher and ejection fraction was significantly lower in the incomplete STR (<70%) group (p < 0.05 for all). Body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.046) and galectin-3 (p = 0.037) were independently associated with the SYNTAX score. Endocan (p = 0.044) and galectin-3 (p = 0.017) were independent predictors of incomplete STR. In patients with STEMI, the levels of endocan and galectin-3 may be helpful in identifying patients with a higher risk of insufficient myocardial perfusion and worse clinical outcome after PPCI.

Purpose: Microalbuminuria is a premature and widely used indicator of diabetic nephropathy and is reported to be related with a higher cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. We aimed to examine whether the echocardiographic parameters, such as epicardial fat thickness (EFT), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and aortic stiffness index (ASI) are associated with microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). Patients and methods: A total of 272 consecutive patients were enrolled and after the exclusion criteria, the data of 180 patients with T2DM were used in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups: 82 patients with microalbuminuria and 98 patients without microalbuminuria (normoalbuminuria). The laboratory results and echocardiographic EFT, CIMT and ASI parameters were noted. Results: Compared with the normoalbuminuria group, EFT, CIMT and ASI were significantly higher in the microalbuminuria group (p<0.05 for all). In logistic regression analysis; CIMT (OR: 3.15, p=0.024) and ASI (OR: 4.19, p=0.016) were independently associated with microalbuminuria in patients with T2DM. Conclusion: In addition to CIMT, as a novel finding, ASI which is an indicator for the elastic properties of the aortic root was independently associated with microalbuminuria. CIMT and ASI measurement by echocardiography may be helpful in identifying the accompanying factors in the development of nephropathy.