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.

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.

Background: We aimed to explore the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and the severity and complexity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of 388 patients who underwent coronary angiography were evaluated retrospectively. SYNTAX and Gensini scores were calculated based on angiographic findings. These scores which indicate the severity of atherosclerosis was calculated for all the patients. Patients were divided into three main groups according to RHR. Group 1 composed of patients with RHR ≤70 (n = 217), group 2 composed of patients with RHR between 70 and 89 (n = 133), and group 3 composed of patients with RHR ≥90 beats per min (bpm) (n = 38). Gensini and SYNTAX score values of the three study groups were compared. Also, Gensini score was tested for whether it showed a positive correlation with RHR and SYNTAX scores. Results: All patients had an average age of 61.3 years, and the mean for RHR was 72 bpm. Mean Gensini score in the general CAD population was 24.4 ± 22.5, and mean SYNTAX score was 13.6 ± 8.1 points. The Gensini and Syntax score values of the group 3 were significantly higher than that of the other two groups (59.8 ± 31.2, P < 0.001 and 26.0 ± 6.5, P < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation with Gensini score and RHR, SYNTAX score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and left ventricular ejection fraction [(r = 0.725, P < 0.001), (r = 0.680, P < 0.001), (r = 0.543, P < 0.001), (r = −0.224, P < 0.001), respectively]. Conclusions: RHR is an effective easily available marker for the assessment of severity and complexity of CAD.